title: The segway personal transporter as an alternative mobility device for people with disabilities: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the functional measures that best correlate with the skill levels of people with disabilities who operate a Segway Personal Transporter, and-using a qualitative analysis-to explore subjects' experience with the Segway.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study encompassing 3 training sessions with the Segway to correlate subjects' functional ability (eg, cognition, balance, mobility, muscle strength) with their skill level on the device.
  
  
  METHODS
  A provincial adult rehabilitation center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three subjects (age range, 19-65y) with a wide range of disabilities (eg, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, amputation) who could walk at least 6m with or without assistance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Segway Task Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, and Timed Up & Go test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No correlation was found because all participants successfully completed the final Segway Task Assessment, regardless of scores on functional assessments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Segway is a useful device for a broad range of populations with functional disabilities. Subjects found the Segway easy to use and were excited about its potential as an assistive device for use in their communities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Bonita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sawatzky
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Denison
authors.forename: Shauna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Langrish
authors.forename: Shonna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hiller
authors.forename: Bronwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Slobogean
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001107:Architectural Accessibility; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004389:Durable Medical Equipment; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D053580:Muscle Strength; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014186:Transportation / Q000295:instrumentation*