PROPOSED THERAPEUTIC CYCLE FOR THE ASSISTANCE IN MENDING OF

HUMAN LIMBS WITH MUSCULAR AILMENT

Abstract

Rehabilitation of people with any kind of limb impairment is an idea that is intent to facilitate

them to maintain their capital physical, sensory, intellectual, psychological and social

functional levels. This tool assists in making these individuals independent and self-

determined. Exercise is essential to improvise the physical and mental health of this kind of

individuals, but it is always a challenging task to design an exercise machine for people with

limb disabilities. Regular exercise equipment demands a certain level of health. Human limbs

need to be able to support the body to maintain stable postures, for this the muscles should have

an adequate energy to perform flexion and extension, which is not possible or becomes difficult

in case of pain due to any injury, and even smaller activity becomes a huge undertaking for the

body, if the body isn’t equipped to handle it. Our joint effort to suggest a design of system for

cost effective and efficient automatic rotary stationary bikes therapy cycle that is useful in

rehabilitation of various disorder and conditions which cause immobilization of lower limbs

(legs), also may help in prevention from venous thrombosis.

Key words: Extension, Rehabilitation, Flexion, muscular ailment, mending, Cost Effective

INTRODUCTION

A billion people in the world, 15% of the population, have a disability severe enough that it

limits their participation in family, community and political life. Eighty percent of those billion

people live in low and middle-income countries, where often access to basic health and social

services is limited for all citizens. However, the impact on persons with disabilities is more

profound. Instead we must remind ourselves that disability is part of the human condition: all

of us either are or will become disabled to one degree or another during the course of our lives.

(Dr. Chan M, 2014) http://www.who.int/disabilities/media/news/2014/idpd_dg/en/

After a serious injury, illness or surgery, recovery is slow. Recovery often requires to regain
strength, relearn certain skills and new ways to perform task with limitations. This process is
rehabilitation.

Physical Therapy

It is also known as physical rehabilitation or physiotherapy, treatments and exercises concerned

with remediation of impairments and disabilities through promotion of mobility, functional
ability, and quality of life. It is a Health Care profession concerned with the assessment,
maintenance, and restoration of the physical function and performance of the body. It is a
distinct form of care, which can be performed either in isolation or in conjunction with other
types of medical management.

Exercise is good for rehabilitation. Most Arms and Legs exercise equipment requires a certain
level of health and muscle strength to do, contraction & expansion in other word flexion and
extension. Often individual with disability / injury/ pain can’t perform these exercises results
in loss of mobility and muscle strength.

In survey from markets, it has been observed that there does not exist the cost effective and
automatic rotary stationary bikes to do therapy for patients. Proposing cost effective, user
friendly and efficient prototype design a system for therapy of legs entitled as “Theracycle”. It
will be useful in physiotherapy as well as in rehabilitation engineering to combat various
disorder diseases and conditions which cause immobilization of limbs.

We used AC motor over DC motor

a. LOW COST

Lowest cost motor for applications requiring more than about 1/2 hp (325 watts) due to the
simple design of the motor.

b. SPEED VARIATION

The fixed number of winding sets (known as poles) built into the ac motor, which determines
the ac motors base speed- the frequency of the AC line voltage. Variable speed drives
(Adjustable speed drives) change this frequency to change the speed of the motor. - The
amount of torque loading on the motor, which causes slip.

c. HIGH POWER FACTOR

Power factor of an AC electrical power system is defined as the ratio of the real power
flowing to the load to the apparent power in the circuit. A load with a low power factor draws
more current than a load with a high power factor for the same amount of useful power
transferred. Higher currents increase the energy lost in the distribution system, and require
larger wires and other equipment.

d. RELIABLE OPERATION AND LOWER MAINTENANCE

The simple design of the AC motor results in extremely reliable, low maintenance operation.
Unlike the DC motor, there are no brushes to replace. If run in the appropriate environment
for its enclosure, the AC motor can expect to need new bearings after several years of
operation. If the application is well designed, an AC motor may not need new bearings for
more than a decade.

Device Working

The thera-cycle is built to enable people to exercise who otherwise could not. The feet or arms
are secured to the pedals. Any kind of seat can be used with it which aids the patient who cannot
move from their seat or having a mobility disorder. The Smart Motor helps move their legs,
starting the process of regaining muscle tone and flexibility. A regime designed around forced
exercise is initiated and physical fitness through exercise is possible again. Electrical muscle
stimulator can also be added for better results and quick recovery as per patient needs. Muscle
strength is also regained with EMS also known as neuromuscular electrical
stimulation (NMES) or electromyostimulation. It is the equipment used in physiotherapy
treatment that causes the elicitation of muscle contraction using electric impulses, it directs
small pulses of electricity to specific nerves. The purpose is to reduce the sensitivity of nerve
endings in the spinal cord, thereby closing the pain 'gates.' In an electronic muscle stimulator
circuit, the equipment stimulates nerves of that part of body where electrodes are attached.
 TABLE I.

Physical description of Theracycle

PARAMETERS RANGE

Input Voltage Theracycle: 220V (AC)

Motor Power Half hp

Speed In Rpm 0 - 26 RPM

DISCUSSION

Poor overall health conditions, poverty and malnutrition are major factors resulting in higher

rates of disability in many developing countries (Hossain. MD, 2008). It is well-known that

institutional rehabilitation services in less developed countries are insufficient as compared to

the industrialized west. This leads to an increase in the number of persons with disabilities in

developing countries. (Hossain. MD, 2008) The United Nations (UN) has estimated that 5

percent of the world’s population has some sort of disabilities while WHO’s estimation is 10

percent (Alam & Bari, 2005; CNDD, 2006; WHO, 1992).Whatever the estimation is reported

by national and international organizations, there is an immediate need for basic rehabilitation

services for millions of persons with disabilities in less developed countries (Hossain. MD,

2008). It is important to note that in these regions the number of persons with disabilities is

increasing much faster than the annually added supply of rehabilitation services (CNDD,

2006). Instead, the inequality in the sharing of rehabilitation services in developing countries

generates numerous challenges for persons with disabilities particularly those who live in

poverty (Hossain. MD, 2008)

Recent research shows that persons with disabilities are systematically excluded from all

development activities in many societies. This, in turn, limits their rights and challenges their
ability to fulfill their socio-economic obligations (Nagata, 2007).It is now widely accepted that

poverty and disability have reinforced each other and contributed to the increased vulnerability

and exclusion of persons with disabilities (Khan & Bari, 2002). The concept of prevention and

rehabilitation in the developing world is viewed as significantly important because so many

impairments can be avoided. (Hossain. MD, 2008).

No such prototypes are available in markets, it is first of its kind as poverty is a disease

widespread in third world countries and more cost effective solutions should be provided with

basic resources. Many high end exercises machines are available but such devices are not

affordable and economical for majority. Proposed design not only fulfil its basic objective but

have most significant feature-inexpensive and reasonable. The overall device is ideal for

rehabilitation and physiotherapy patients. It can be used not only in Pakistan but in other least

developed countries as well.

CONCLUSION

The main purpose of this study is to design and study the theracycle prototype. From the tests

carried out on its functions reveal that the developed prototype has achieved its objective

efficiently. Results are tremendous and promising as patient was comfortable and

physiotherapist showed a positive response. It is portable, light weight, user friendly and

extremely cost effective. It will help in rehabilitation of patients with injury and diseases not

only in Pakistan but all around the world especially in poor and third world countries where

resources and rehabilitation is quite limited to specific individuals.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to acknowledge all my mentors who encourage me and support me in writing

of this paper furthermore to all the researchers and healthcare professionals (along with all

the private institutes, funding agencies and NGO) who strive and give their efforts in

rehabilitation of disabled and handicapped throughout the world.

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