Swallowing detection by an apron-embedded acceleration sensor for meal assistance

抄録

In current care facilities, the number of users of high-level nursing care has increased. According to a survey in Toyama Prefecture, meal assistance was the most difficult care service for care staff to provide. In a previous study, we reported that swallowing detection using an accelerometer was easier than using EMG. We also determined the most suitable fixing point of the accelerometer to detect swallowing. In this study, we developed a device in which an apron is equipped with an accelerometer. To evaluate the performance of the device, the swallowing behavior of young subjects was monitored, and the resulting value obtained for the swallowing phase iAcc was significantly greater than that obtained for the resting phase.