Wheelchair User’s Cardiovascular Evaluation System to Support Physiotherapy Sessions
Pinheiro, E.C.
;
Postolache, O.
;
Girão, P.M.
; Joaquim, J M
; Moura, C. M.
; Postolache, G.
Wheelchair User’s Cardiovascular Evaluation System to Support Physiotherapy Sessions, Proc IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conf., Hangzhou, China, Vol. I, pp. 369 - 374, May, 2011.
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Abstract
Assessing the cardiovascular status of subjects accompanied by physical therapists is a growing tendency. Merely assessing kinetic recovery is considered to be a short-range approach. So, techniques and devices providing extended support of physiotherapy sessions are necessary. The system developed provides the physiotherapist new tools, by implementing unobtrusive sensing hardware and an interactive graphical user interface. It allows cardiovascular data recording during the appointment, access and management of a number of cardiac and kinectic parameters. Cardiovascular parameters are obtained when the subject rests, via ballistocardiography and impedance plethysmography. The intensity of the movements produced by the limited mobility arm is qualified and quantified by accelerometry. This system acts as an interactive platform to assist physiotherapists’ work. It is an improvement over the traditional untraceable methods based on mere observation, and allowing confortable cardiac and kinectic monitoring.