Design and Evaluation of the Sit-to-Stand Movement Assistive Device for Elderly

Abstract

The act of standing up is one of the most important movements in daily life, but it often poses challenges for elderly individuals with declining physical functions. To address this issue, we have designed an assistive device for sit-to-stand (STS) movement. This device aids the upper limbs, allowing them to bear some of the weight during the STS movement, thereby improving the force distribution on the lower limbs and enhancing the stability of the body during movement. The connection to the user is very straightforward; one simply needs to place their hands and arms on the lifting mechanism to connect, and after the STS movement is completed, the user can easily disengage, making it very convenient to use. The device is compact, equipped with wheels and a handle, allowing it to be flexibly moved and used in confined spaces such as bedrooms, bathrooms, and balconies. ADAMS-LifeMOD simulations indicate that the use of the STS movement assistive device can significantly improve the force distribution across the joints of the lower limbs and reduce the pressure on the soles of the feet against the ground. Subsequently, a prototype was built, and four volunteers were invited to conduct further experimental validation, comparing the changes in plantar pressure during the STS movement with and without the assistive device, as well as the subjective feelings of the users. The experimental results demonstrate that the device can effectively help users to stand up more easily.