A multi-purpose ergonomically designed chair for physical therapy patients in the rehabilitation centers of selected hospitals in Metro Manila

Date of Publication

2000

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering

Subject Categories

Industrial Engineering

College

Gokongwei College of Engineering

Department/Unit

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Abstract/Summary

This thesis is about an ergonomically designed physical therapy chair that can be used by patients that are undergoing therapy sessions in a sitting position.;"Sitting is an important position not only to people who work in an office or in a manufacturing firm but also to a physical therapy patients who perform different therapy activities for a minimum of two hours or more depending on the condition of the patient. Activities involve in physical therapy are divided into two major classifications, the Assessment and the Treatment Activities. The Assessment Activity deals with the therapist evaluating the sickness of the patient and its corresponding treatment. While, the Treatment Activity is the giving of actual therapy to the patient. In both of these activities, the patient may sit or stand. The scope of this study will only be the patients who perform their activity in a sitting position. The proponents of the study limits their study to the Rehabilitation Centers of the tertiary hospitals in Metro Manila, namely Philippine General Hospital (PGH), V. Luna General Hospital, and Philippine Orthopedic Hospital. Patient whose age ranges from 18 to 80 years old are the subjects of this study.

The design of the physical therapy chair will be based from the frequent positions that the patient assumed during their therapy. The measurements of the parts of the proposed design are according to the anthropometric dimension of the physical therapy patients. The proposed chair was tested to the physical therapy patients and the results showed that there was an improvement compared to the wooden chair, monoblock chair, and office chair. Disregarding the present sickness or disability of the patient, their musculoskeletal pains decreased and the ergonomic chair becomes fitted to the user. Hence, the patients were more comfortable to the proposed physical therapy chair than the present chairs used by the different hospitals.

The physcial therapy chair has the following basic parts headrest, backrest, seatpan, armrest, footrest, and leg support. All of them were cushioned except for the footrest. This was done in order to soften the impact of the chair to the body. The backrest and seatpan were body contoured so that the natural curves of the body will be maintained. The leg support is detachable and can be kept at the back of the chair when not in used. The function of the leg support was to support the leg of the patient when in long sitting position. Also, the footrest frame and the height of the chair can be adjusted to address a larger population. The length of the armrest of the proposed chair can be extended up to the forearm of the patient while the height of the armrest can be adjusted up to the armpit of the patient. This was done because during the assessment of the blood pressure of the patient (This is performed before, in between, and after therapy of the patient). his/her arm should be extended. Both of the armrests were also made detachable to give way to patients who don't need the armrest during their therapy. Furthermore, the chair can be moved easily by the therapist because its wheels were placed at the back of the seat stand. It also has a handle located at the back of the backrest to help the therapist in directing or maneuvering the patients. The backrest has an angle of inclination of 105 degrees. An additional cushion was added at the backrest to make the angle 100 degrees. Through inspection, these angles are the inclination that the patients are most comfortable. In addition, the proposed design also has a seatbelt to help the patients who have immobilized upper body like stroke patients. Refer to Figure 1 for the actual design of the chair and to Figure 2 that shows its different forms.

The material used in the seat frame was steel to withstand the weight of the patient. In the seat height adjustment, the hydraulic lift adjustment was the most suited type. This type of adjustability was very helpful for the patients since they would not stand up anymore for further adjustment of the height. The seat support was made up of laminated wood, which is responsible for the contour of the cushion and upholstery. The armrest and footrest was made up of hard aluminum because it is lightweight and durable. Moreover, the armrest and footrest frame was mad up of steel that serves as the mechanisms for the adjustability of the length of the armrest and height of the footrest. In the upholstery of the ergonomic physical therapy chair, Taiwan leatherette and Uratex-Permahard foam were used.

The multi-purpose ergonomically designed chair for physical therapy patients is beneficial to the patients because their musculoskeletal pains were decreased. Moreover, the ergonomic chair helps the patient perform their assessment and treatment activity because it supports all of the positions required in achieving proper treatment. It also helps the therapist achieve full access for the manipulation of the body parts of the patients needed for the therapy.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Print

Accession Number

TU10440

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F, Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

242 leaves ; Computer printout

Keywords

Medical instruments and apparatus, Design—Human factors

Embargo Period

2-4-2021

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