Effects on attention of an assistive device supporting the trunk from the front in the sitting position of patients with cerebrovascular disease

Abstract

We clarified the effectiveness of an assistive device that supports the trunk from the front (hereafter referred to as “anterior trunk support”) on attentional function and investigated its influence on Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Patients with cerebrovascular disease were seated with or without an anterior trunk support, and the test of attention function, subjective scores, and center of load position were measured according to a crossover study. The results showed that the sitting position with anterior trunk support significantly affected test performance, subjective scores, and load center position. The results suggest that anterior trunk support is effective for attentional function and may help eating in ADL. Future prospects include the use and usefulness of the anterior trunk support for different subjects and in different work situations.