title: Comparison of virtual wheelchair driving performance of people with traumatic brain injury using an isometric and a conventional joystick.
abstract: Cooper RA. Comparison of virtual wheelchair driving performance of people with traumatic brain injury using an isometric and a conventional joystick.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare wheelchair driving performance in a driving simulator using a conventional joystick and an isometric joystick.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A research facility based in a hospital or in an independent living center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (N=20; 12 men, 8 women; mean age ± SD, 30.62±10.91 y) who were at least 1 year post-TBI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Driving performance using an isometric joystick compared with a conventional movement joystick.
  
  
  METHODS
  Average trial completion time, and trajectory-specific measures measured orthogonal to the center of driving tasks: root mean squared error, movement offset, movement error, and number of significant changes in heading.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After statistically controlling for driving speed, participants were able to complete the driving tasks faster with an isometric joystick than while using a conventional movement joystick. Compared with the conventional joystick, an isometric joystick used for driving forward demonstrated fewer driving errors. During reverse driving the conventional joystick performed better.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The customizable isometric joystick seems to be a promising interface for driving a powered wheelchair for individuals with TBI.
authors.affiliation: Human Engineering Research Laboratories and Center of Excellence in Wheelchairs and Related Technology, VA Pittsburgh HealthCare System, 7180 Highland Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA.
authors.forename: Harshal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.forename: Donald M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Spaeth
authors.forename: Brad E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Dicianno
authors.forename: Diane M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Boninger
authors.forename: Rory A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006804:Ergonomics; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014910:Wheelchairs