Evaluating the Functionality and Usability of Two Novel Wheelchair Anti-Rollback Devices for Ramp Ascent in Manual Wheelchair Users With Spinal Cord Injury.
BACKGROUND
Difficulty ascending ramps and inclines with a manual wheelchair adversely affects the everyday mobility and overall quality of life of manual wheelchair users. Currently, various anti-rollback devices are available to assist manual wheelchair users to ascend ramps and inclines. However, these devices have 2 main shortcomings: restriction to backward motion limiting recovery from an overturning wheelchair, which is a safety concern; and difficulty in engaging/disengaging the device while on the ramp.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the functionality and usability of 2 novel wheelchair anti-rollback devices developed to address these shortcomings (prototypes "Wheel" and "Brake").


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Rehabilitation research facility.


METHODS
Twelve adult participants with chronic spinal cord injury.


METHODS
Participants completed training and tested with both the wheelchair anti-rollback devices on a 7.3-m-long ramp.


METHODS
Number of stops, perceived physical exertion, pain, and ease of use of these devices as participants maneuvered their wheelchairs up a 7.3-m ramp were assessed. Participants also evaluated their satisfaction with the usability of both the devices using the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction With Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0).


RESULTS
Both prototypes evaluated overcame the limitations of the existing anti-rollback devices. Nonparametric statistical tests showed that participants rated both prototypes similarly for the overall functional and usability aspects. However, the participants' satisfactory rating were higher for the prototype "Brake" than for the prototype "Wheel" based on a functional aspect (ie, engaging/disengaging easiness), and higher for Wheel than for Brake, based on a usability aspect (prototype size).


CONCLUSIONS
The qualitative and quantitative outcomes of this investigation, based on the usability and functional evaluations, provided useful information for the improvement in the design of both anti-rollback devices, which may allow manual wheelchair users to manage ramp ascent more safely and easily. Further evaluations with a different SCI population is recommended.


METHODS
IV.
Max Nader Lab for Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcomes Research, Center for Bionic Medicine, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL(∗).
Susan L
SL
Deems-Dluhy
Max Nader Lab for Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcomes Research, Center for Bionic Medicine, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL(†).
Chandrasekaran
C
Jayaraman
Green Technologies, Inc, West Fork, AK(‡).
Steve
S
Green
Department of Computer Science, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL(§).
Mark V
MV
Albert
Max Nader Lab for Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcomes Research, Center for Bionic Medicine, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 345 E. Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611; Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL(‖). Electronic address: a-jayaraman@northwestern.edu.
Arun
A
Jayaraman
D000328:Adult; D001107:Architectural Accessibility / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*