title: Training wheelchair navigation in immersive virtual environments for patients with spinal cord injury - end-user input to design an effective system.
abstract: A user-centred design was used to develop and test the feasibility of an immersive 3D virtual reality wheelchair training tool for people with spinal cord injury (SCI).
  
  
  
  A Wheelchair Training System was designed and modelled using the Oculus Rift headset and a Dynamic Control wheelchair joystick. The system was tested by clinicians and expert wheelchair users with SCI. Data from focus groups and individual interviews were analysed using a general inductive approach to thematic analysis.
  
  
  
  Four themes emerged: Realistic System, which described the advantages of a realistic virtual environment; a Wheelchair Training System, which described participants' thoughts on the wheelchair training applications; Overcoming Resistance to Technology, the obstacles to introducing technology within the clinical setting; and Working outside the Rehabilitation Bubble which described the protective hospital environment.
  
  
  
  The Oculus Rift Wheelchair Training System has the potential to provide a virtual rehabilitation setting which could allow wheelchair users to learn valuable community wheelchair use in a safe environment. Nausea appears to be a side effect of the system, which will need to be resolved before this can be a viable clinical tool. Implications for Rehabilitation Immersive virtual reality shows promising benefit for wheelchair training in a rehabilitation setting. Early engagement with consumers can improve product development.
authors.affiliation: a Burwood Academy of Independent Living (BAIL) , Christchurch , New Zealand.|b Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Musculoskeletal Medicine , University of Otago, Christchurch , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nunnerley
authors.affiliation: c Medical Device Technologies , Callaghan Innovation , Christchurch , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Swati
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: a Burwood Academy of Independent Living (BAIL) , Christchurch , New Zealand.|b Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Musculoskeletal Medicine , University of Otago, Christchurch , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Snell
authors.affiliation: c Medical Device Technologies , Callaghan Innovation , Christchurch , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000072087:Occupational Therapists; D059825:Physical Therapists; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014910:Wheelchairs
keywords: Spinal cord injury; virtual reality; wheelchair training