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Affiliation
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Max Nader Lab for Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcomes Research, Center for Bionic Medicine, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address: a-jayaraman@northwestern.edu. |
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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Difficulty ascending ramps and inclines with a manual wheelchair adversely impacts everyday mobility and overall quality of life of manual wheelchair users. Currently, various anti-rollback devices are available to assist manual wheelchair users to ascend ramps and inclines. However, these devices have two main shortcomings, (i) restriction to backward motion limiting recovery from an overturning wheelie which is a safety concern and, (ii) difficulty in engaging/disengaging the device while on ramp.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functionality and usability of two novel wheelchair anti-rollback devices developed to address these shortcomings (prototypes-"Wheel" & "Brake").
DESIGN: Cross sectional. SETTING: Rehabilitation research facility PARTICIPANTS: 12 adult participants with chronic spinal cord injury.
METHODS: Participants completed training and tested with both the wheelchair anti-rollback devices on a 7.3 m long ramp. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Number of stops, perceived physical exertion, pain, and ease of use of these devices as participants maneuvered their wheelchairs up 7.3 m ramp was assessed. Participants also evaluated their satisfaction with the usability of both the devices using the Quebec user evaluation of satisfaction with assistive technology (QUEST 2.0).
RESULTS: Both prototypes evaluated, overcame the limitations of the existing anti roll-back devices. Non-parametric statistical tests revealed that, participants rated both prototype's similarly for the overall functional and usability aspects. However the participants satisfactory rating were, (a) higher for prototype "Brake" than "Wheel" based on a functional aspect (i.e. engaging/disengaging easiness) and (b) higher for prototype "Wheel" than "Brake" based on an usability aspect (prototype size).
CONCLUSIONS: The qualitative and quantitative outcomes from this investigation based on the usability and functional evaluations, provided useful information for the improvement in design of both the anti-roll back devices which may allow manual wheelchair users to manage ramp ascent more safely and easily. Further evaluations with different SCI population is recommended.
Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Language: en |