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A pilot study on community usage of a pushrim-activated, powerassisted wheelchair

Fitzgerald, SG and Arva, J and Cooper, RA and Dvorznak, MJ and Spaeth, DM and Boninger, ML (2003) A pilot study on community usage of a pushrim-activated, powerassisted wheelchair. Assistive Technology, 15 (2). 113 - 119. ISSN 1040-0435

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Abstract

Manual wheelchair propulsion combined with other stresses to the upper extremities may result in secondary injury. Possible solutions would be to devise alternative methods of propulsion, such as a pushrim-activated, power-assist wheelchair (PAPAW). The goals of this study were to examine the usage of the PAPAW in a real world setting and to characterize the driving habits of manual wheelchair users. Feedback was also obtained regarding subjects' opinions with respect to the PAPAW: their likes and dislikes. A PAPAW was provided to subjects for 2 weeks. Usage (average and total distance traveled and velocity) was tracked for both the PAPAW and the subjects' own wheelchairs. Significant differences in usage were not seen between the personal wheelchairs or the PAPAW. As a result, weeks were combined to provide an overall examination of driving characteristics. The average distance traveled over an average day was 1,671.4 ± 314.8 m with an average velocity of 0.44 ± 0.09 m/second. This pilot study provides an idea of manual wheelchair usage in a population of individuals with spinal cord injury. The lack of significant findings between the PAPAW and the subjects' own wheelchairs may be a function of study methodology such as sample size and length of follow-up in the new wheelchair. Future studies should expand upon the pilot work completed here, strengthening the design. © 2003 RESNA.

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Details

Item Type: Article
Status: Published
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Fitzgerald, SG
Arva, J
Cooper, RARCOOPER@pitt.eduRCOOPER
Dvorznak, MJ
Spaeth, DM
Boninger, MLboninger@pitt.eduBONINGER
Centers: Other Centers, Institutes, Offices, or Units > Human Engineering Research Laboratories
Date: 1 December 2003
Date Type: Publication
Journal or Publication Title: Assistive Technology
Volume: 15
Number: 2
Page Range: 113 - 119
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1080/10400435.2003.10131895
Schools and Programs: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences > Rehabilitation Science and Technology
Refereed: Yes
ISSN: 1040-0435
MeSH Headings: Adult; Consumer Satisfaction--statistics & numerical data; Electric Power Supplies; Electronics--instrumentation; Female; Human Engineering; Humans; Male; Motor Vehicles; Pilot Projects; Questionnaires; Residence Characteristics; Wheelchairs--utilization
PubMed ID: 15137728
Date Deposited: 17 Oct 2012 21:04
Last Modified: 05 Feb 2019 03:55
URI: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/id/eprint/15737

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