Evaluating Technology For Self-Managing Upper Extremity Rehabilitation
Do you want to apply 3D printing to a healthcare application and help design engaging tools for post stroke rehabilitation?
Project description
The development and use of digital rehabilitation programs are on the rise since they allow aging in place through self-management of rehabilitation within the users' homes. Due to poor stakeholder engagement, home-based digital rehabilitation programs often fall short of engaging their users by failing to be user-friendly, entertaining, and meaningful. As a result, users may struggle with motivation and adherence to the program, which can ultimately hinder rehabilitation progress and slow recovery. Our team has built a prototype rehabilitation device, mRehab, that includes a 3D printed mug and bowl that are combined with a smartphone to support the rehabilitation activities. The specific objectives of this project are to: 1) identify and develop additional 3D printed functional objects that could be used to support post-stroke rehabilitation, 2) determine appropriate rehabilitation tasks to be performed with the new functional objects, and 3) conduct a focus group with end users to evaluate the new designs. Students will work with the research team to determine a set of possible functional objects for development. Then, they will create the 3D files to enable the printing of the objects so that they can be integrated with the mRehab app. Once built, the designs will be refined based on identified challenges with the objects and through a focus group with end users.
Project outcome
The outcome of the project will be the design of the functional object, including the 3D printing files.
Project details
| Length of commitment | Longer than a semester (about 6-9 months) |
| Start time | Spring |
| In-person, remote, or hybrid? | In-Person |
| Level of collaboration | Large Group Project |
| Benefits | Stipend |
| Who is eligible | All undergraduate students |
Project mentor
Lora Cavuoto
Professor
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Phone: (716) 645-4696
Email: loracavu@buffalo.edu
Start the project
- Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
- After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.)
Preparation activities
Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase.
Completion of the CITI training courses required for Social and Behavioral Researchers.
Keywords
computer science, industrial engineering, human factors, product design, 3D printing, rehabilitation