Unit 1: Rehabilitation Engineering

Rehabilitation Engineering
Unit 1
Dr.K.Nirmala
Biomedical Engineering Department
UNIT 1 –Introduction to Rehabilitation Engineering
 Definition, Concept of Rehabilitation

 Types of Physical Impairments
 Principles of Assistive Technology Assessment,
 Principles of Rehabilitation Engineering –
 Key Engineering Principles
 Key Ergonomic Principles
 Engineering Concepts in Sensory & Motor rehabilitation.
Introduction to Rehabilitation Engineering
Session Objectives:
The objective of this session
 Understand the principles of Rehabilitation Engineering

Key Ergonomic Principles
• Ergonomics or human factors is another indispensable part of rehabilitation
engineering and assistive technology design.
• Applying information about
1. human behavior,
2. abilities,
3. limitations,
Several ergonomic principles that are especially germane to rehabilitation engineering
are discussed in the following sections.
1. Proper positioning
2. Anatomical control site
3. Simplicity and intuitive operation
4. Display suitability
5. Allowance for Recovery from errors
6. Adaptability and flexibility
7. Mental and chronological Age Appropriateness
Principle of Proper Positioning
• Without proper positioning or support, an individual who has lost the ability to
maintain a stable posture against gravity may appear to have greater deformities and
functional limitations than truly exist.
• During all phases of the design process, assistive technology is being planned, the
person’s trunk, lower back, legs, and arms will have the necessary stability and
support at all times.
• Consultation with a physical therapist or occupational therapist familiar with the

focus individual during the initial design phases should be considered if postural
support appears to be a concern.
Principle of Proper Positioning
Principle of the Anatomical Control Site
• users must be able to reliably indicate their intent by using overt, volitional actions.
• variety of switches and sensors that are available like transducers, switches,
joysticks, and keyboards.
• Field trials using mockups, stopwatches, measuring tapes, and a video camera can be
very helpful for collecting such performance data.
• When an individual’s physical abilities do not permit direct selection from among a
set of possible choices, single switch activation by the anatomical control site in
combination with automated row-column scanning of a matrix is often used.
Principle of Simplicity and Intuitive Operation
• Intuitively operation lies in the proper choice of compatible and optimal controls and
displays.
• Compatibility refers to the degree to which relationships between the control actions
and indicator movements are consistent.
• When compatibility relationships are incorporated into an assistive device,

• learning is faster,
• reaction time is shorter
• fewer errors occur, and
• the user’s satisfaction is higher.
• Hence, the rehabilitation engineer needs to be aware of and follow some common
compatibility relationships and basic ergonomic guidelines, such as:
• The display and corresponding control should bear a physical resemblance to each
other.
• The display and corresponding control should have similar physical arrangements
and/or be aided by guides or markers.
• The display and corresponding control should move in the same direction and within
the same spatial plane
Principle of Display Suitability
• the selection of the sensory modality is sometimes a foregone conclusion, such as

when designing a warning signal for a visually impaired person.
• When there is an option, however, the rehabilitation engineer must take advantage of
the intrinsic advantages of one sensory modality over another for the type of message
or information to be conveyed.
Principle of Allowance for Recovery from Errors
Human error is unavoidable no matter how well something is designed. Hence, the
assistive device must provide some sort of allowance for errors without seriously
compromising system performance or safety.
Errors can be classified as

• errors of omission,
• errors of commission,
• sequencing errors,
• and timing errors.
A well-designed computer-based electronic assistive device will incorporate one or

more of the following attributes:
1. The design makes it inherently impossible to commit the error
2. The design makes it less likely, but not impossible to commit the error.
3. The design reduces the damaging consequences of errors without necessarily
reducing the likelihood of errors
4. The design incorporates an ‘‘undo,’’ ‘‘escape,’’ or ‘‘go-back’’ command in devices
that involve the selection of options within menus.
Principle of Adaptability and Flexibility
• devices should be designed to accommodate the user and not vice versa.
• its operational characteristics must adapt accordingly.
• Vocabulary set should be changed easily as the user’s needs, skills, or

communication environment change
• The user should also be given the choice of having auditory, visual, or a combination
of both as feedback indicators
Principle of Mental and Chronological Age Appropriateness
• during assessment and problem definition, the rehabilitation engineer should
ascertain the functional age of the individual to be helped.
Any assistive device intended for an elderly person should follow this:
• Strengthen the displayed signals by making them louder, brighter, larger.

• Simplify the controls and displays to reduce irrelevant details that could act as
sources of confusion.
• Maintain a high level of conceptual, spatial, and movement congruity, i.e.,
compatibility between the controls, display, and device’s response.
• Reduce the requirements for monitoring and responding to multiple tasks.
• Provide more time between the execution of a response and the need for the
next response. Where possible, let the user set the pace of the task.
• Allow more time and practice for learning the material or task to be performed.
Out Comes
Session Outcomes
Upon Completion of this session the students will be able to

 Describe the principle of rehabilitation Engineering
 Explain the key engineering principles in rehabilitation engineering
 Explain the key ergonomic principles
Review Questions
1. What are the principles to be followed to design an assistive aid

2. What are the key engineering principles
3. What are the key ergonomic principles
References
TEXT BOOKS:
1. Joseph D. Bronzino, The Biomedical Engineering Handbook, Third Edition:

Three Volume Set, CRC Press, 2006
2. MacLauchlan, M, and Gallagher, P, Enabling Technologies – Body Image and
Body Function, Churchill Livingstone, 2004.
3. Mann, W.C., (Ed). Smart Technology for Aging, Disability, and Independence –
The State of the Science, Wiley, New Jersey, 2005
REFERENCES:
1. Muzumdar, A, Powered Upper Limb Prostheses – Control, Implementation and
Clinical Application, Springer, 2004.
2. Rory A Cooper, An Introduction to Rehabilitation Engineering, Taylor &Francics,
CRC Press, 2006.
3. Horia- Nocholai Teodorecu, L.C.Jain Intelligent systems and technologies in
rehabilitation Engineering; CRC; December 2000.

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Rehabilitation Engineering

 Definition, Concept of Rehabilitation

The objective of this session

 Understand the principles of Rehabilitation Engineering

• Consultation with a physical therapist or occupational therapist familiar with the

• When compatibility relationships are incorporated into an assistive device,

• the selection of the sensory modality is sometimes a foregone conclusion, such as

Errors can be classified as

A well-designed computer-based electronic assistive device will incorporate one or

• its operational characteristics must adapt accordingly.

• Vocabulary set should be changed easily as the user’s needs, skills, or

• Strengthen the displayed signals by making them louder, brighter, larger.

• Reduce the requirements for monitoring and responding to multiple tasks.

Upon Completion of this session the students will be able to

1. What are the principles to be followed to design an assistive aid

1. Joseph D. Bronzino, The Biomedical Engineering Handbook, Third Edition:

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