Atsushi Sugama

The purpose of this research is to clarify the influence of the weight of white canes on body load. More specifically, we conducted quantitative evaluations of the load on upper limb muscles when a white cane was manipulated over a long period of time, while the subject remained in a stationary standing position. The white canes used were a new type of white cane newly fabricated using aramid fibers, as well as a conventional type of white cane fabricated using carbon fibers. The results indicated that the newly developed cane reduced the load on the muscles by about 50% in comparison with the conventional type of cane. It became clear that it was possible to sustain the same posture even when used continuously over a long period of time.

We developed a novel white cane fabricated using aramid-fiber-reinforced plastic. In this study, impact resistance of each canes were evaluated in strength test. In addition, to evaluate physical loads regarding to actual operation, electromyography of upper limb muscles are measured during touch motions with each two cane. These results show that the new cane is less than half the weight, and high impact resistance compared to a conventional cane fabricated using carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. Moreover, muscle loads of wrist flexion muscles during touch motion can be reduced by about 20%. On the other hand, the load of the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle was increased.