Citation

Sawatzky B, Denison I, Langrish S, Richardson S, Hiller K, Slobogean B. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2007; 88(11): 1423-1428.

Affiliation

Department of Orthopaedics, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.apmr.2007.08.005

PMID

17964882

Abstract

Sawatzky B, Denison I, Langrish S, Richardson S, Hiller K, Slobogean B. The Segway Personal Transporter as an alternative mobility device for people with disabilities: a pilot study. OBJECTIVES: To determine the functional measures that best correlate with the skill levels of people with disabilities who operate a Segway Personal Transporter, and-using a qualitative analysis-to explore subjects' experience with the Segway. DESIGN: A prospective study encompassing 3 training sessions with the Segway to correlate subjects' functional ability (eg, cognition, balance, mobility, muscle strength) with their skill level on the device. SETTING: A provincial adult rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three subjects (age range, 19-65y) with a wide range of disabilities (eg, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, amputation) who could walk at least 6m with or without assistance. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Segway Task Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, and Timed Up & Go test. RESULTS: No correlation was found because all participants successfully completed the final Segway Task Assessment, regardless of scores on functional assessments. CONCLUSIONS: The Segway is a useful device for a broad range of populations with functional disabilities. Subjects found the Segway easy to use and were excited about its potential as an assistive device for use in their communities.

Language: en