Design and development of a hybrid device to assist frail users in mobility, transfer and rehabilitation.

Objective: his study presents the design and development of a hybrid assistive device that combines modularity and multiutility to support the mobility, transfer, and rehabilitation needs of frail users, including the elderly, patients, and persons with impairments. Methods: A high-fidelity prototyp...

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Publicado en:Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology Vol. 21; no. 6; pp. 3130 - 3148
Autores principales: Kumar, Rohit, Ramkumar, Janakarajan, Gurjar, Mohan, Rai, Siddharth
Formato: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Aug2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Aug2026
      vid: 21
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      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
      place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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        10.1080/17483107.2026.2631060
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        atl: Design and development of a hybrid device to assist frail users in mobility, transfer and rehabilitation.
      aug:
        au:
          Kumar, Rohit
          Ramkumar, Janakarajan
          Gurjar, Mohan
          Rai, Siddharth
        affil: Department of Design and Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India
      sug:
        subj:
          Equipment Design
          Assistive Technology Devices
          Frailty Syndrome Rehabilitation
          Physical Mobility
          Persons with Disabilities
          Rehabilitation
          Health Services Needs and Demand
          Caregivers Psychosocial Factors
          Consumers Psychosocial Factors
          Human
          Therapeutic Exercise
          Multimethod Studies
          Usability Study
          Scales
          Surveys
          Descriptive Statistics
          Workload
          Task Performance and Analysis
          Ergonomics
          Accidental Falls Prevention and Control
          Safety
          Resource-Limited Settings
          Comfort
          Universal Design
          Anthropometry
          Cost Effectiveness Analysis
          India
          Academic Medical Centers
          Finite Element Analysis
          Summated Rating Scaling
          Patient Handling
          Crutches
          Walkers
          Wheelchairs
          Hoists
          Empathy
          Computer-Aided Design
          Rising
          Ambulation Aids
          Frustration
          Consumer Attitudes
          Caregiver Attitudes
          Cognition
          Adaptation, Psychological
      ab: Objective: his study presents the design and development of a hybrid assistive device that combines modularity and multiutility to support the mobility, transfer, and rehabilitation needs of frail users, including the elderly, patients, and persons with impairments. Methods: A high-fidelity prototype was developed using a user-centred design approach and evaluated with 33 participants, comprising healthy users, caregivers, and patients with mobility impairments. Quantitative and qualitative usability evaluations were conducted using the System Usability Scale (SUS), the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), and a user experience survey. Results: The hybrid device mean usability score (SUS = 69.8 ± 16.12), corresponding to the good to excellent usability range and NASA-TLX workload analyses effort and performance (p < 0.001)) which demonstrated improved caregiver efficiency and reduced physical strain, as well as improved task performance. User experience rated highest for the mobility (mean = 3.67), modularity (mean = 3.64), and rehabilitation support (mean = 3.60) prove the effectiveness of device. Conclusion: This study proposed a novel assistive device that combines ergonomic design, adjustable height, and multiutility functions to assist users during safe transfers, mobility, and rehabilitation while minimising the physical load on caregivers. The device offers a practical, affordable solution for early mobility and rehabilitation support, particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings. IMPLICATIONS FOR MOBILITY, TRANSFER, AND REHABILITATION: The hybrid assistive device is a multi-utility device that combines mobility, lift-transfer, and rehabilitation at a single platform. The hybrid assistive device provides stable support for frail users during transfers and rehabilitation. The hybrid assistive reduces caregiver burden or physical strain during patient transfer and mobility tasks. Use as a mobility-chair or walker, performing sit-to-stand and in-bed pull exercises to enhance early mobility and rehabilitation.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        pictorial
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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