?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Fd-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu%2F7293%2F&rft.title=Impact+and+usage+of+pushrim+activated+power+assist+wheelchair+among+individuals+with+tetraplegia&rft.creator=Souza%2C+Ana+E&rft.description=The+primary+objective+of+this+study+was+to+investigate+the+usage+of+Pushrim+Activated+Power+Assist+Wheelchairs+(PAPAW)+among+individuals+with+cervical+level+spinal+cord+injuries+(tetraplegia)+in+real-life+environments.+Fifteen+full-time+manual+wheelchair+users+with+tetraplegia+completed+a+four-week+trial+including+a+two-week+own+wheelchair+trial+and+a+two-week+PAPAW+trial+where+both+the+PAPAW+provided+and+personal+wheelchairs+were+tracked.+The+order+of+wheelchair+use+was+randomized.+Throughout+the+study+period+both+the+PAPAW+and+participants+personal+chairs+were+equipped+with+a+data+logging+device%2C+which+collects+time+stamps+at+each+wheel+rotation.+The+PAPAWs+used+in+this+study+were+equipped+with+the+JWII+(Yamaha+Motor+Corporation).+Participants+were+asked+to+daily+complete+a+take+home+questionnaire+with+questions+regarding+type+of+wheelchair+used%2C+places+visited%2C+methods+of+transporting+the+wheelchair%2C+obstacles+preventing+travel+outside+the+home%2C+and+satisfaction+and+dissatisfaction+with+the+PAPAW.+At+the+end+of+each+two-week+trial%2C+the+Psychosocial+Impact+of+Assistive+Devices+(PIADS)+survey+was+conducted+to+assess+the+effects+of+the+PAPAW+and+the+personal+chair+on+user's+competence%2C+adaptability%2C+and+self-esteem.+Data+logging+device+analyzed+variables+included+the+average+daily+distance+traveled%2C+average+speed+and+the+actual+daily+driving+time.+Results+from+this+phase+showed+that+participants+used+the+PAPAW+significantly+more+than+their+personal+wheelchairs+in+the+two-week+PAPAW+trial%2C+indicating+that+PAPAWs+might+improve+functional+independence+as+well+as+community+participation+of+individuals+with+tetraplegia.+Overall+benefits+of+the+PAPAW+reported+by+participants+included+easy+propulsion%2C+increased+independence%2C+and+good+performance+in+difficult+terrains%2C+increased+quality+of+life%2C+faster+speed%2C+and+decreased+upper-limb+pain.+Limitations+reported+included+difficult+drive+wheels+disassembling+and+transportation.&rft.date=2007-04-24&rft.type=University+of+Pittsburgh+ETD&rft.type=PeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.language=en&rft.identifier=http%3A%2F%2Fd-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu%2F7293%2F1%2FMasterthesis2007.pdf&rft.identifier=++Souza%2C+Ana+E++(2007)+Impact+and+usage+of+pushrim+activated+power+assist+wheelchair+among+individuals+with+tetraplegia.++Master's+Thesis%2C+University+of+Pittsburgh.++++(Unpublished)++