Classification of wheelchair pressure relief maneuvers using changes in center of pressure and weight on the seat.

Background: Pressure injuries from prolonged sitting are a significant problem for wheelchair users incurring high costs in healthcare expenditures and reducing quality-of-life. There is a need to improve pressure relief training and adherence in a variety of settings.

Objective: To identify effective common wheelchair pressure relief (PR) manoeuvres based on changes to users' seated centre of pressure (CoP) and seated weight.

Further Development of a Robotic-Assisted Transfer Device.

The task of performing transfers, such as from a wheelchair to a bed, has a high risk of injury to both the caregiver and the person being transferred. Although mechanical transfer devices can reduce these risks, these devices are not meant for use in the community and they still place strain on the caregiver when used. The aim of this study is to describe feedback gathered from focus groups of potential users of the Robotic-Assisted Transfer Device (RATD) and describe design changes aimed at preparing the device for the next step in the development process.

Performance Evaluation of a Mobile Touchscreen Interface for Assistive Robotic Manipulators: A Pilot Study.

Assistive robotic manipulators (ARMs) have been developed to provide enhanced assistance and independence in performance of daily activities among people with spinal cord injury when a caregiver is not on site. However, the current commercial ARM user interfaces (UIs) may be difficult to learn and control. A touchscreen mobile UI was developed to overcome these challenges.

Consumer Feedback to Steer the Future of Assistive Technology Research and Development: A Pilot Study.

The overall objective of this project was to identify consumers' opinions of their needs and wants related to assistive technology (AT) in a systematic and quantitative manner via a questionnaire that can be used to validate existing and establish new research priorities. This pilot study describes questionnaire development, online implementation, and revisions considered to the questionnaire in preparation for conducting a nationwide survey. Data from a sample ( = 112) are presented.

Task-Oriented Performance Evaluation for Assistive Robotic Manipulators: A Pilot Study.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of commercially available assistive robotic manipulators (ARMs) user interfaces and to investigate the concurrent validity and sensitivity to change with task-oriented performance evaluation tools (TO-PETs) for ARMs.

Design: This was a nonblinded randomized controlled study with power-wheelchair users with upper-extremity impairments (N = 10). Participants were trained to use 2 ARMs with their respective original user interfaces (keypad and joystick) and evaluated the performance using TO-PET and the adapted Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT-ARM).

Power seat function usage and wheelchair discomfort for power wheelchair users.

Objectives: To investigate correlations between power seat functions (PSFs) usage and wheelchair discomfort.

Design: Quasi-experimental design: Time series design.

Setting: In-home trial in participants' home/community.

Evaluating the usability of a smartphone virtual seating coach application for powered wheelchair users.

The aim of the smartphone virtual seating coach (SVSC) was to provide a personalized reminder/warning system to encourage powered wheelchair users to use their powered seating functions (PSFs) as clinically recommended. This study evaluated the usability of the SVSC system by gathering feedback from five powered wheelchair users and five rehabilitation professionals through questionnaires and interviews. The results indicated that clear and understandable instructions to adjust the PSFs are the most important requirement for SVSC application.

Estimation of Energy Expenditure for Wheelchair Users Using a Physical Activity Monitoring System.

Objective: To develop and evaluate energy expenditure (EE) estimation models for a physical activity monitoring system (PAMS) in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University-based laboratory environment, a semistructured environment at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, and the participants' home environments.

Detection of physical activities using a physical activity monitor system for wheelchair users.

Availability of physical activity monitors for wheelchair users can potentially assist these individuals to track regular physical activity (PA), which in turn could lead to a healthier and more active lifestyle. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and validate algorithms for a physical activity monitoring system (PAMS) to detect wheelchair based activities. The PAMS consists of a gyroscope based wheel rotation monitor (G-WRM) and an accelerometer device (wocket) worn on the upper arm or on the wrist.

Stability analysis of electrical powered wheelchair-mounted robotic-assisted transfer device.

The ability of people with disabilities to live in their homes and communities with maximal independence often hinges, at least in part, on their ability to transfer or be transferred by an assistant. Because of limited resources and the expense of personal care, robotic transfer assistance devices will likely be in great demand. An easy-to-use system for assisting with transfers, attachable to electrical powered wheelchairs (EPWs) and readily transportable, could have a significant positive effect on the quality of life of people with disabilities.

Evaluation of lightweight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA testing standards.

Lightweight wheelchairs are characterized by their low cost and limited range of adjustment. Our study evaluated three different folding lightweight wheelchair models using the American National Standards Institute/Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America (ANSI/RESNA) standards to see whether quality had improved since the previous data were reported. On the basis of reports of increasing breakdown rates in the community, we hypothesized that the quality of these wheelchairs had declined.

Evaluation of scooters using ANSI/RESNA standards.

To date, only one research study has evaluated how scooters respond to static and dynamic stability. However, no other studies have evaluated how scooters respond to adverse conditions and how they perform in all standard tests. A selection of 12 three-wheeled scooters was tested according to American National Standards Institute/Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (ANSI/ RESNA) wheelchair standards.

An interview study for developing a user guide for powered seating function usage.

Purpose: Powered seating functions (PSFs) provide powered wheelchair users an independent means to adjust posture dynamically. To facilitate the best use of PSFs in daily living, we conducted this structured interview study to develop a preliminary user guide to provide "take-home" information to powered wheelchair users.

Method: An internally developed questionnaire to assess clinical recommendations of PSF usage was administered in an interview format to clinical seating and mobility specialists.

Initial development of direct interaction for a transfer robotic Arm system for caregivers.

The most common injuries in healthcare are related to transfers. The Strong Arm system assists caregivers in providing fully dependent transfers from an electric power wheelchair to a bed, shower bench, toilet or other surface. However, this system currently controlled by buttons could be more successful with a more intuitive method during use.

Performance evaluation of the Personal Mobility and Manipulation Appliance (PerMMA).

The Personal Mobility and Manipulation Appliance (PerMMA) is a recently developed personal assistance robot created to provide people with severe physical disabilities enhanced assistance in both mobility and manipulation. PerMMA aims to improve functional independence when a personal care attendant is not available on site. PerMMA integrates both a smart powered wheelchair and two dexterous robotic arms to assist its users in completing essential mobility and manipulation tasks during basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL).

Factors associated with provision of wheelchairs in older adults.

The objectives of this study were: to identify the factors that are associated with prescription of wheeled mobility devices for older adults, and to determine the effect that living setting has on the types of devices that older adults receive. Retrospective medical chart review at the Center for Assistive Technology on 337 older individuals. These individuals were aged >60 years, and each of them received a new wheeled mobility device from the center during 2007 or 2008.

Analyzing wheelchair mobility patterns of community-dwelling older adults.

This study determined and compared wheelchair mobility patterns for older adults during an organized sporting event and within their community. In July 2008, 39 veterans participating in the 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games (Omaha, Nebraska) completed the study. Of these, 26 were manual wheelchair and 13 were power wheelchair users.

Manual wheeled mobility--current and future developments from the human engineering research laboratories.

Medical rehabilitation and assistive technology are immersed in a world transitioning to a basis in evidence-based practice. Fortunately, there is a growing body of knowledge related to manual wheelchair mobility to form a basis for clinical decision making. The results from research studies are useful for designing better wheelchairs, fitting and training people appropriately, contributing to evidence-based-medicine and guiding future research.

Manual wheelchair-related mobility characteristics of older adults in nursing homes.

Aim: Manual wheelchairs are commonly prescribed for older adults in nursing homes (NH). The extent of their utilisation being unknown may result in the prescription of standard wheelchairs. The purpose of this study was to quantify manual wheelchair use by nursing home residents.

Multiple sclerosis and mobility-related assistive technology: systematic review of literature.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes a wide variety of neurological deficits, with ambulatory impairment the most obvious cause of disability. Within 10 to 15 years of disease onset, 80% of persons with MS experience gait problems due to muscle weakness or spasticity, fatigue, and loss of balance. To facilitate mobility, persons with MS frequently use mobility assistive technology (MAT), such as canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters.

Quantification of activity during wheelchair basketball and rugby at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games: A pilot study.

To date, no published data exists on distances and speeds traveled by rugby or basketball players during game play. The purpose of this study was to provide quantitative information of selected characteristics of wheelchair basketball and rugby game play. A miniaturized data logger was used to collect the distance traveled, average velocity, activity time, and number of starts and stops during basketball and rugby games.

Satisfaction related to wheelchair use in older adults in both nursing homes and community dwelling.

Purpose: Older adults commonly use wheelchairs for mobility impairments regardless of their living situations. However, limited outcomes data are available to determine quality of the wheelchairs that older Americans are receiving, as well as their satisfaction with wheelchair service delivery programs. The purpose of this article was to analyze satisfaction data collected from three cohorts of older individuals living at nursing homes and in community settings.

Usage of tilt-in-space, recline, and elevation seating functions in natural environment of wheelchair users.

This study examined the usage of powered seating functions, including tilt-in-space, backrest recline, and seat elevation, among a group of wheelchair users during their typical daily activities. Twelve individuals who used a power wheelchair with seating functions participated in the study. They drove their own wheelchair and used the seating functions as needed in their community environment for about 2 weeks while the seating function usage was recorded with a portable device.

A preliminary study on the impact of pushrim-activated power-assist wheelchairs among individuals with tetraplegia.

Objectives: This preliminary study was to evaluate the impact of pushrim- activated power-assist wheelchairs (PAPAWs) on mobility, community participation, satisfaction, and psychosocial impact among individuals with tetraplegia.

Design: Fifteen manual wheelchair users with tetraplegia completed a 4-wk protocol including a 2-wk trial where they used their personal wheelchairs for mobility and a 2-wk trial where they were provided with a PAPAW and could choose either wheelchair for mobility. The mobility levels with both wheelchairs were recorded by a datalogger.

Longitudinal assessment of vibrations during manual and power wheelchair driving over select sidewalk surfaces.

Wheelchair users rely on their wheelchairs for mobility for extended periods of time every day. According to the International Standards Organization 2631-1 standard on human vibration, individuals in a seated position when exposed to whole-body vibrations (WBV) are at risk of injury. This study evaluated vibration exposure during manual and power wheelchair driving over nine sidewalk surfaces and differences in vibration exposure over 3 years.