Development and Evaluation of a Thoracic Pressure Chair For a Student with Autism
By Anderson, Andrew E.; Klinkman, Matthew R.; Brown, Melissa A.; Riemer, Rose F.; Proceedings of the RESNA 25th International Conference, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 383-385Publication Date: June/July 2002
Paper discussing a therapeutic thoracic pressure chair (TPC) developed for a 13-year-old male student with autism. The components of the chair consist of a motor that rotates a set of two pulleys. A single length of aircraft wire is connected to the two ends of a pressure platform and pulley. When the motor is activated, the pulley system is rotated. The pressure platform then rises along four guide rods and moves towards the user’s chest. With the aid of a gas spring, the platform is guided away from the user’s chest, and the door opens at its starting position. After a six-month follow up, the teachers reported that the student used the chair at least once a day.
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
ISBN: 00-932101-44-5
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number O14574
