Perceptions of power-assist devices: interviews with manual wheelchair users

Mahsa Khalili; Angela Eugenio; Allison Wood; Machiel Van der Loos; W Ben Mortenson; Jaimie Borisoff

doi:10.1080/17483107.2021.1906963

Perceptions of power-assist devices: interviews with manual wheelchair users

Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2023 Jul;18(5):693-703. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2021.1906963. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Authors

Mahsa Khalili¹, Angela Eugenio², Allison Wood², Machiel Van der Loos³, W Ben Mortenson^{2

4}, Jaimie Borisoff^{4

5}

Affiliations

¹ School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
² Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
⁴ International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
⁵ British Columbia Institute of Technology, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

PMID: 33904351
DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2021.1906963

Abstract

Purpose: The study had three main objectives. (1) To investigate the perceived impact of power-assist devices (PADs) on manual wheelchair (MWC) user mobility. (2) To compare perceptions about different types of PADs. (3) To identify preferred features and design characteristics of PADs.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with community-dwelling MWC users aged 31 years and older, with at least 2.5 years of experience using an MWC independently (n = 16). Data were thematically analysed using an inductive approach.

Results: Two main themes related to participants' perceptions about the effects of PAD use were identified: (1) "Expanding my world", which illustrated the perceived benefits of using PADs (e.g., gaining a sense of autonomy and access to new environments, maintaining physical health) and (2) "Falling short", which described challenges with PADs (e.g., safety, reliability and portability issues). Participants also identified strengths and limitations of different types of PADs that were mainly related to specific user-device and device-environment interactions as well as various functional characteristics. Moreover, participants outlined their priorities for future PAD design, including improving controllability, customizability and affordability of these devices.

Conclusions: Participants' perceptions about PADs varied across different types of devices and in different contexts. However, PADs were generally perceived as enhancing the capabilities of MWCs. Our findings provide insight into the factors that can be considered when selecting a PAD and can inform the development of future PADs that are better equipped to overcome challenges that MWC users frequently encounter.Implications for RehabilitationPower-assist devices (PADs) for manual wheelchairs (MWCs) have the potential to improve the mobility, community participation and well-being of users.Some of the existing PADs have safety and reliability issues that affect their performance and limit their use by MWC users.The three types of PADs (front-mounted attachments, rear-mounted attachments, powered wheels) offer different types of assistance that can benefit users with various capabilities.

Keywords: Wheelchair add-ons; power-assist devices; power-assisted wheelchairs.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Disabled Persons*
Durable Medical Equipment
Humans
Independent Living
Reproducibility of Results
Wheelchairs*