Effect of Motorized Scooters on Physical Performance and Mobility: A Randomized Clinical Trial
By Hoenig, Helen, MD, MPH; Pieper, Carl, DrHP; Branch, Laurence G., PhD; Cohen, Harvey Jay, MD; Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 88, No. 3, pp. 279-286Publication Date: March 2007
Study conducted to evaluate the effects of a motorized scooter on the physical performance and mobility of ambulatory rehabilitation clients. A total of 22 ambulatory, community-dwelling clients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis of the knee participated in the study. Each participant was prescribed a Legend motorized scooter with either a Backsaver or Outrider scooter lift for a period of three months. The Six-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD) test was administered at baseline, one month, and three months, and accidents while using the scooter were also reported. The participants also submitted self-report data regarding methods of transportation utilized in specific locations, such as school, work, etc. The majority of the participants used the scooter four or more days per week, while four participants reported a total of nine accidents. The data indicated that motorized scooters provided to ambulatory persons with arthritis were used intermittently, while the greatest short-term risk appeared to be minor collisions.
Assistive Products Discussed: LEGEND
BACK-SAVER VEHICLE LIFT (MODEL AWL-1600)
OUT-RIDER VEHICLE LIFT (MODEL PUL-1100)
Published by: W.B. Saunders Company, a division of Elsevier Health Sciences (Website:http://us.elsevierhealth.com)
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Web Site: http://www.aapmr.org/ )
American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.acrm.org )
