Sound Wall
By He, Xin; Zhu, Zhiyu; Goldberg, Richard; RESNA 26th International Annual Conference 2003,Publication Date: 2003
Paper presents the development of the Sound Wall, which is a device that utilizes auditory, tactile, and other stimuli to encourage a one-year-old girl with cerebral palsy (CP) to strengthen her arm muscles. People with CP may have difficulties with motor control, cognitive disabilities, or sensory disabilities. Physical, speech, and behavioral therapy are important in the treatment and rehabilitation processes. The Sound Wall was designed to help prevent the weakening or deterioration of muscles, which can often follow lack of use. The device consists of a freestanding wall on which four blocks are mounted. Each block provides a different sensory stimulation, including blowing air, lights, and sound. The stimuli are meant to encourage the client to push, pull, and reach up to play with the blocks, therefore exercising with her arms. Preliminary evaluations indicated that the design was stable, and that the client and her family enjoyed using the device. The Sound Wall was designed by researchers at the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
