Understanding and Measuring Powered Wheelchair Mobility and Manoeuvrability: Part I - Reach in Confined Spaces
By Holliday, P.J., MSc; Mihailidis, A.; Rolfson, R.; Fernie, G.; Disability and Rehabilitation, Vol. 27, No. 16, pp. 939-949Publication Date: August 2005
Study conducted to determine what wheelchair maneuverability factors are important, and to determine the effects of powered wheelchair design on the ability to reach in a confined space. The relative importance of five aspects of wheelchair maneuverability were first determined via a survey of people who used wheelchairs: (1) time to complete a task, (2) reaching an object, (3) moving in small spaces, (4) avoiding collisions with walls and other objects, and (5) reducing the need to drive backwards. One person who was non-disabled participated in the study, and took part in repeated trials of reach distance onto a counter at the end of a corridor, of which the width could be adjusted by moving Styrofoam walls. The researchers found that reaching and moving in confined spaces and avoiding collisions were more important than speed and avoiding the need to drive backwards. A Quickie P320 rear wheel-drive powered wheelchair was found to allow the greatest reach in the narrowest corridor over the Jazzy 1120, Mini Jazzy, and the Nimble Rocket wheelchairs. Implications for future research are discussed.
Assistive Products Discussed: QUICKIE P320
Published by: Taylor & Francis, Limited (Website:http://taylorandfrancis.org)
International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.isprm.org )
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J49373
