title: Preliminary evaluation of variable compliance joystick for people with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Upper-limb fatigue is a common problem that may restrict people with multiple sclerosis (MS) from using their electric powered wheelchair effectively and for a long period of time. The objective of this research is to evaluate whether participants with MS can drive better using a variable compliance joystick (VCJ) and customizable algorithms than with a conventional wheelchair joystick. Eleven participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The groups used either the VCJ in compliant or noncompliant isometric mode and a standard algorithm, personally fitted algorithm, or personally fitted algorithm with fatigue adaptation running in the background in order to complete virtual wheelchair driving tasks. Participants with MS showed better driving performance metrics while using the customized algorithms than while using the standard algorithm with the VCJ. Fatigue adaptation algorithms are especially beneficial in improving overall task performance while using the VCJ in isometric mode. The VCJ, along with the personally fitted algorithms and fatigue adaptation algorithms, has the potential to be an effective input interface for wheelchairs.
authors.affiliation: Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rehabilitation Research and Development Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA;
authors.forename: Harshal P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.forename: Donald M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Spaeth
authors.forename: Brad E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Dicianno
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Rory A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012984:Software; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014910:Wheelchairs; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: MS; fatigue; joystick; multiple sclerosis; outcome measures; tremor filter; variable compliance joystick; virtual reality; wheelchair; wheelchair driving