ABSTRACT

Objective: The study aimed to propose the role of a newly developed Stand-up Assistive Device for the elderly toprovide a comfortable, convenient, and safe way of standing from various sitting conditions. Methods: A Stand-up Assistive Device was developed for research tool by overcoming such issues as heavy weight,bulky size and high costs. Total of 90 elderlies over 65 years old participated in the study to evaluate the developeddevice by administering Rapid Entire Body Assessment(REBA), sit-to-stand performance analysis(standing stagesand motor skills) and Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology(QUEST) which were usedas assessment tools. Results: Statistical significance(p<.05) were observed between with/without using developed device in the scores ofREBA. Sit-to-stand performance analysis also revealed statistical significance in the mean score of stage 1 tostage 6 for the standing phase when the participants were standing with using the assistive device as comparedto without using it(p<.05). It was also consistent for motor skills as there were statistically significant in flows,endures, paces and mean score of motor skill between two conditions. The results of usability test revealed thatthe participants were positively responded ‘satisfactory’ or above in general. Conclusion: Stand-up Assistive Device developed in this study demonstrated certain advantages in terms ofconvenience, efficiency and safety when it is used for the elderly. It is recommended that developed device couldbe broadly applied to potential users who are having problems of standing up from various sitting situations.