Citation

Lee CD, Daveler BJ, Candiotti JL, Cooper R, Sivakanthan S, Deepak N, Grindle GG, Cooper RA. Vibration (Basel) 2023; 6(1): 255-268.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publications Institute)

DOI

10.3390/vibration6010016

PMID

37885763

PMCID

PMC10601336

Abstract

The QLX is a low-profile automatic powered wheelchair docking system (WDS) prototype developed to improve the securement and discomfort of wheelchair users when riding in vehicles. The study evaluates the whole-body vibration effects between the proposed QLX and another WDS (4-point tiedown system) following ISO 2631-1 standards and a systematic usability evaluation. Whole-body vibration analysis was evaluated in wheelchairs using both WDS to dock in a vehicle while riding on real-world surfaces. Also, participants rated the usability of each WDS while driving a wheelchair and while riding in a vehicle in driving tasks. Both WDSs showed similar vibration results within the vibration health-risk margins; but shock values below health-risk margins. Fifteen powered wheelchair users reported low task load demand to operate both WDS; but better performance to dock in vehicles with the QLX (p = 0.03). Also, the QLX showed better usability (p < 0.01), less discomfort (p's < 0.05), and greater security compared to the 4-point tiedown while riding in a vehicle (p's < 0.05). Study findings indicate that both WDS maintain low shock exposure for wheelchair users while riding vehicles, but a better performance overall to operate the QLX compared to the 4-point tiedown system; hence enhancing user's autonomy to dock in vehicles independently.

Language: en

Keywords

vehicle safety; accessible transportation; assistive technology; securement; wheelchair docking system