Papers by Stephen Sprigle
JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies
Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering
Journal of Tissue Viability
Technology and Disability
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology
Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation, Nov 6, 2017
Over 50 million United States citizens (1 in 6 people in the US) have a developmental, acquired, ... more Over 50 million United States citizens (1 in 6 people in the US) have a developmental, acquired, or degenerative disability. The average US citizen can expect to live 20% of his or her life with a disability. Rehabilitation technologies play a major role in improving the quality of life for people with a disability, yet widespread and highly challenging needs remain. Within the US, a major effort aimed at the creation and evaluation of rehabilitation technology has been the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) sponsored by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. As envisioned at their conception by a panel of the National Academy of Science in 1970, these centers were intended to take a "total approach to rehabilitation", combining medicine, engineering, and related science, to improve the quality of life of individuals with a disability. Here, we review the scope, achievements, and ongoing projects of an unbias...
Journal of rehabilitation research and development, 2016
The objective of this study was to describe the in-seat movement and weight-shifting behavior of ... more The objective of this study was to describe the in-seat movement and weight-shifting behavior of full-time wheelchair users. We measured everyday sitting behavior for 192 d across 28 individuals who used manual wheelchairs as their primary mobility device. To obtain the measurements, we used eight thin force sensors placed under participants' wheelchair cushions. On a typical day, participants spent an average of 10.6 +/- 3.0 h in their wheelchair and transferred out of the wheelchair 8.4 +/- 4.3 times. Participants only performed pressure reliefs (90% off-loading of the entire buttocks for at least 15 s) 0.4 +/- 0.5 times per hour they were seated in the chair, but they performed weight shifts (WSs) (30%-90% off-loading of at least one side of the buttocks for 15 s) with a frequency of 2.4 +/- 2.2 times per hour. Despite the higher frequency of WSs, they were not performed in a routine manner. Half of the days studied included one segment of upright sitting lasting at least 2 h...
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Economic evaluation has become one of the principal methodologies in outcomes research within the... more Economic evaluation has become one of the principal methodologies in outcomes research within the health care field in general and specifically in assistive technology. Efforts to define and develop a consistent methodology for assistive technology economic evaluations have been hampered by lack of familiarity with the various terms and concepts associated with cost analysis, an essential aspect of economic evaluations. Adapting these concepts, which were constructed to suit a medical model, to the needs of the assistive technology field has been a challenge as well. This article outlines terms and concepts basic to cost analysis. The authors then consider five studies that relate costs to outcomes in order to illustrate the challenges, choices, and trade-offs researchers make when adapting this methodology to assistive technology. The article concludes by seeking to stimulate further discussion of the complexity inherent in assessing costs in assistive technology outcomes research and calling for the development of a standardized and consistent economic evaluation methodology.
The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, Jul 1, 1999
Single-group, repeated measures. To investigate the relationship between tubing length and tubing... more Single-group, repeated measures. To investigate the relationship between tubing length and tubing tension for 6 colors of Thera-Band tubing (each color representing a different level of resistance) and to estimate the resistive shoulder torque provided during shoulder abduction exercise. Thera-Band tubing is popular for providing resistance in rehabilitation strengthening programs. Unfortunately, it is difficult to compare use of elastic tubing with other resistance training methods because no published data exist on how much resistance is being provided during exercise. Nine male and 6 female subjects (age, 25.9 +/- 3.6 years; height, 173 +/- 10 cm) performed shoulder abduction, using 6 colors of tubing. A strain gauge attached at the fixed end of the tubing directly measured the tension generated during stretch. For each color of tubing, each subject momentarily held a position at 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, and 150 degrees of abduction. Shoulder joint abduction, limb segment position, and tubing length were analyzed by means of the Peak Motion Measurement System. Simple linear regression equations predicted tubing tension from percent change in tubing length at the joint angle positions. A 2-way (5 x 6) repeated-measures ANOVA determined the mean differences in tubing tension across tubing colors at the shoulder abduction positions. Strong linear relationships were found for each tubing tension when referenced according to changes in tubing length. Significant differences in tension were found for the various colors of tubing. The resistive torque curves for each color tubing were similar to isotonic exercise. Thera-Band tubing provides linear resistance during shoulder abduction, but the resistive torque provided by the tubing mimics isotonic exercise.
Proceedings of Spie the International Society For Optical Engineering, 2009
Detecting early stage pressure ulcer on dark skin using multispectral imager. [Proceedings of SPI... more Detecting early stage pressure ulcer on dark skin using multispectral imager. [Proceedings of SPIE 7494, 74940Q (2009)]. Linghua Kong, Stephen Sprigle, Dingrong Yi, Chao Wang, Fengtao Wang, Fuhan Liu, Jiwu Wang, Futing Zhao. Abstract. ...
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Measuring the shape of the buttock-cushion interface has been used successfully in research to st... more Measuring the shape of the buttock-cushion interface has been used successfully in research to study tissue loading and as a means to fabricate custom contoured cushions. Seat contours are also able to provide useful clinical information on the weight-bearing surface of the cushion, which can be used to address posture. This article offers specific case studies that demonstrate how the analysis of seat contours can be used to identify pelvic tilt, pelvic obliquity, and areas of high loading. Seat contour measurements complement other clinical measures, such as seat interface pressures and general postural assessments, to form a more complete picture of the buttock-cushion interface. They have become useful in the clinical management of various pressure and posture problems experienced by individuals with spinal cord injury and other wheelchair users.
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Papers by Stephen Sprigle