Comparing performance of manual wheelchair skills using new and conventional rear anti-tip devices: randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypotheses that, compared with participants using manual wheelchairs equipped with conventional rear anti-tip devices (C-RADs), those using a new RAD design that deploys through an arc (Arc-RAD) perform RAD-relevant wheelchair skills better and as safely.


METHODS
A randomized controlled study.


METHODS
A rehabilitation center.


METHODS
Participants (N=30) including 16 able-bodied and 14 wheelchair users.


METHODS
Participants were provided with wheelchair skills training (up to 2.4h).


METHODS
Total percentage score on a set of 23 RAD-relevant skills of the Wheelchair Skills Test (WST, version 3.2) administered a minimum of 3 days after training.


RESULTS
For the C-RAD and Arc-RAD groups, the mean +/- standard deviation RAD-relevant WST scores were 32.3%+/-8.5% and 85.1%+/-18.9% (Kruskal-Wallis, P<.001). Of the 23 RAD-relevant individual skills, the success rates for the Arc-RAD group were at least 20% higher (the criterion we set for clinical significance) in 17 (74%). For the C-RAD group, the success rate was 0% for the 12 wheelie-dependent skills, the 13-cm-high obstacle, and the 15-cm level change ascent. There were no serious adverse effects in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
The new RAD design allows much better performance on relevant wheelchair skills than the conventional design without compromising safety.
Kirby
R Lee
RL
Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada. kirby@dal.ca
Corkum
Casey G
CG
Smith
Cher
C
Rushton
Paula
P
MacLeod
Donald A
DA
Webber
Adam
A
D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000150:complications; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011336:Probability; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014910:Wheelchairs; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000150:complications