Postural stabilization by trunk tightening force generated by passive power-assist device

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2013:2013:2836-9. doi: 10.1109/EMBC.2013.6610131.

Abstract

We are developing a passive power-assist supporter called Smart Suit Lite, which is a compact and lightweight power-assist device that utilizes the restoring force of elastic belts. Smart Suit Lite is designed not only to support muscles but also to stabilize the torso similarly to a corset. However, because a corset is always tight around the waist, negative effects caused by long-term use has been pointed out. In contrast, the tightening force generated by Smart Suit Lite increases only when the wearer adopts a posture corresponding to higher load on the low back. In this research, we performed two basic experiments to evaluate the static balance ability of wearers. As a result, the standard deviation of the lumbar angle decreased by 32.1% on average in wearers with low stability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen
  • Back / physiology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Braces*
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain / rehabilitation*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / physiology
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Postural Balance
  • Posture / physiology*
  • Torso