title: Problems of older persons using a wheeled walker.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Wheeled walkers (WWs) are used to improve mobility and for fall prevention in older persons, but not all users are satisfied with the usability of WWs. Intelligent WWs are being developed to improve the usability.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to support the development of intelligent WWs by investigating possible problems of using a WW.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study investigated 22 geriatric in-patients (median age 82 years) with and without their WW while opening a door against the direction of walking and passing through. Other possible problems when using WWs were identified by interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Walking through the door was faster without than with using the WW (8.71 versus 12.86 s, p < 0.001), while interference between door and WW was documented in 41 of 44 (93 %) cases. Backward walking performance was better when using a WW with regard to gait speed, step width and walk ratio (all p < 0.002). Most referred problems when using a WW were walking downhill (83 %) and uphill (77 %) and obstacle crossing in general (77 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Problems with opening a door against the direction of walking and the optimization of downhill and uphill walking as well as obstacle crossing should be regarded when developing an intelligent WW.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics and Clinic for Geriatric Rehabilitation, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Auerbachstr. 110, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany. ulrich.lindemann@rbk.de.|University Stuttgart Research Initiative Human Factors in Ageing, Technology and Environment, Stuttgart, Germany. ulrich.lindemann@rbk.de.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Lindemann
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics and Clinic for Geriatric Rehabilitation, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Auerbachstr. 110, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany.|University Stuttgart Research Initiative Human Factors in Ageing, Technology and Environment, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwenk
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics and Clinic for Geriatric Rehabilitation, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Auerbachstr. 110, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany.|University Stuttgart Research Initiative Human Factors in Ageing, Technology and Environment, Stuttgart, Germany.|Institute of Epidemiology, Ulm University, Helmholzstr. 22, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klenk
authors.affiliation: Institute for Automation and Software Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 47, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.affiliation: University Stuttgart Research Initiative Human Factors in Ageing, Technology and Environment, Stuttgart, Germany.|Institute for Automation and Software Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 47, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weyrich
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics and Clinic for Geriatric Rehabilitation, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Auerbachstr. 110, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kurz
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics and Clinic for Geriatric Rehabilitation, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Auerbachstr. 110, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany.|University Stuttgart Research Initiative Human Factors in Ageing, Technology and Environment, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D051341:Dependent Ambulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D014853:Walkers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D016138:Walking
keywords: Door; Older persons; Usability; Wheeled walker