Smart garment design for rehabilitation

Abstract

During rehabilitation training posture monitoring is very important for enhancing training effectiveness. This article presents the design and implementation of a smart rehabilitation garment (SRG) to support posture correction. The garment the design and implementation of a smart rehabilitation garment (SRG) to support posture correction. The garment has been designed to supports posture monitoring feedback, during training. The garment consists of accelerometers in various positions with smart textile integration, controlled by a Lilypad Arduino processor which also controls vibrator motors that provide tactile feedback to patients. The SRG is driven by a software application running on a smartphone or personal computer by Bluetooth, which presents fine grain feedback, and training results and reminders to patients. In this paper we focus on the sensing modules’ placements and embedded design based on the integration of smart textiles. This work places particular emphasis on having a practical, wearable, and aesthetic device, as these are crucial elements for making the device useful in context and accepted by its users.