Smart clothing solution developed to help combat back pain

Researchers have developed a new form of smart clothing that can be used to alleviate stress placed on the back to combat low back pain.

Created by a team at Vanderbilt University, the mechanised undergarment consists of two fabric sections – made of nylon canvas, Lycra, polyester and other materials – for the chest and legs.

These sections are connected by straps across the middle back, with natural rubber pieces at the lower back and glutes. A simple double tap engages and disengages the straps to toggle its stress-relieving effects on the back on or off.

Tests showed that the device is able to reduce activity in the lower back extensor muscles by an average of 15 to 45 percent while a person lifts objects. When switched off, it feels much the same as a normal piece of clothing.

Moreover, an accompanying app has been created by the team, allowing users tap their phones to engage the smart clothing wirelessly via Bluetooth.

The project's principal investigator Karl Zelik, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Vanderbilt University, said: "The next idea is: can we use sensors embedded in the clothing to monitor stress on the low back, and if it gets too high, can we automatically engage this smart clothing?"

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