Effect of motorized scooters on physical performance and mobility: a randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of providing a motorized scooter on physical performance and mobility.


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial comparing scooter users with usual care.


METHODS
One academic and 1 Veterans Affairs medical center.


METHODS
Ambulatory, community-dwelling outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis of the knee.


METHODS
Provision of a motorized scooter for 3 months.


METHODS
Six-minute walk distance (6MWD) and mobility methods in diverse locations at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months, and accidents while using the scooter.


RESULTS
The majority of scooter subjects (n=16/22 [72.7%]) used the scooter 4 or more days per week. The difference+/-standard deviation between the 2 groups in change in 6MWD over the study period was not statistically significant (scooter users, 16.9+/-73.0 m [55.5+/-239.6 ft]; usual care, 17.2+/-72.5 m [56.5+/-238.0 ft], P=.55). Four (18.1%) scooter users reported 9 accidents. Over the study period, the proportion of persons reporting use of a scooter (provided by the study or otherwise available) increased in the scooter-users group (eg, food stores, 16.7% to 52.6%; doctor's office, 0% to 35.7%) but not the usual-care group (food stores, 9.1% to 9.5%; doctor's office, 0% to 0%).


CONCLUSIONS
Motorized scooters provided to ambulatory persons with arthritis were used intermittently. The greatest short-term risk from scooter usage appeared to be minor collisions.
Hoenig
Helen
H
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center, and Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA. hoeni001@acpub.duke.edu
Pieper
Carl
C
Branch
Laurence G
LG
Cohen
Harvey Jay
HJ
D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D051341:Dependent Ambulation; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012656:Self-Help Devices