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Preliminary Assessment of Tongue Drive System in Medium Term Usage for Computer Access and Wheelchair Control

By Yousefi, Behnaz; Huo, Xueliang; Ghovanloo, Maysam; RESNA/ICTA 2011: Advancing Rehabilitation Technologies for an Aging Society, June 5-8, 2011, Toronto, Canada,
Publication Date: 2011

Study evaluated the Tongue Drive System (TDS) as a device used for computer input as well as powered wheelchair (PWC) control. The TDS is designed to enable individuals with severe physical disabilities to access computers and drive PWCs with their tongue motion. Its four key components are (1) a small magnetic tracer affixed to the tongue, (2) a headset with magnetic sensors to detect changes in the magnetic field generated by the tracer, (3) a wireless link between a control unit on the headset and a receiver on a computer to transfer the magnetic sensor data, and (4) a sensor signal processing (SSP) algorithm which recognizes the position of the magnetic tracer and hence the position of the tongue in real time. The prototype TDS has 4 directional and 2 selection commands. To observe the user learning process, TDS performance was evaluated over 5 sessions during 5 weeks by 4 men and 5 women without disabilities aged 19 to 28 years. For comparison, similar computer tasks were performed with the TDS and an index finger keypad. Each trial also included PWC drive by TDS through an obstacle course comprising a loop, a backup, 6 turns, and 24 obstacles. Comparing TDS first and fifth sessions showed improvements in all performance measures. However, in those performance measures, TDS was inferior to keypad. PWC completion time and the number of adverse events were both statistically improved when comparing first and fifth sessions. Implications for future development of the TDS are discussed.

Assistive Products Discussed: TONGUE DRIVE SYSTEM
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)   (Website:http://www.resna.org)

Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)    (Web Site: http://www.resna.org )
Link to text: http://web.resna.org/conference/proceedings/2011/RESNA_ICTA/ghovanloo-69612.pdf
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