Design improvement requirements for the upper extremity rehabilitation devices in Taiwan

Abstract

This study aims to survey the most frequently used upper extremity rehabilitation devices (UERD) in Taiwan and how well their design meet the practical requirements of rehabilitation therapy. A questionnaire was prepared and sent to a sample of therapists in Taiwan hospitals. Analysis of the replied questionnaires can be summarized as follows: 1) The 185 respondents consisted of 68 males (37%) and 117 females (63%), with average age 31.3 yrs and work experience 7.2 yrs. 2) Therapists thought that the better ones of the existing UERD are Vertical tower, Stacking cones, Climbing board and bar, and Incline board. These devices are mainly used to treat patients' movements of upper extremity in vertical stretching, flexion, and lifting. 3) The most common problem of the existing UERD is instability of the base. The most required improvement in design features is the adjustability of the functions. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.