Citation

Mahajan H, Spaeth DM, Dicianno BE, Collins DM, Boninger ML, Cooper RA. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2011; 92(8): 1298-1304.

Affiliation

Human Engineering Research Laboratories and Center of Excellence in Wheelchairs and Related Technology, VA Pittsburgh HealthCare System, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.apmr.2011.03.011

PMID

21807150

PMCID

PMC3156470

Abstract

UNLABELLED: Mahajan H, Spaeth DM, Dicianno BE, Collins DM, Boninger ML, Cooper RA. Comparison of virtual wheelchair driving performance of people with traumatic brain injury using an isometric and a conventional joystick. OBJECTIVE: To compare wheelchair driving performance in a driving simulator using a conventional joystick and an isometric joystick. DESIGN: Randomized, cohort study. SETTING: A research facility based in a hospital or in an independent living center. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=20; 12 men, 8 women; mean age ± SD, 30.62±10.91y) who were at least 1 year post-TBI. INTERVENTIONS: Driving performance using an isometric joystick compared with a conventional movement joystick. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Average trial completion time, and trajectory-specific measures measured orthogonal to the center of driving tasks: root mean squared error, movement offset, movement error, and number of significant changes in heading. RESULTS: After statistically controlling for driving speed, participants were able to complete the driving tasks faster with an isometric joystick than while using a conventional movement joystick. Compared with the conventional joystick, an isometric joystick used for driving forward demonstrated fewer driving errors. During reverse driving the conventional joystick performed better. CONCLUSIONS: The customizable isometric joystick seems to be a promising interface for driving a powered wheelchair for individuals with TBI.

Language: en