the repetitious nature of propelling a wheelchair has been associated with the high incidence of injury among manual wheelchair users (mwus), mainly in the shoulder, elbow and wrist. recent literature has found a link between handrim biomechanics and risk of injury to the upper extremity. the valid measurement of three‑dimensional net joint forces and torques, however, can lead to a better unde...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether hemiplegic patients can propel a leg-pedalling wheelchair and whether it is easier and faster for them to pedal the wheelchair using both legs alternately than to propel an ordinary wheelchair with their unaffected hand and leg. DESIGN Within-subject comparison. SUBJECTS Subjects comprised 10 hemiplegic in-patients (8 males, 2 females), aged 63.7 (SD 12.7) yea...

This study determined and compared wheelchair mobility patterns for older adults during an organized sporting event and within their community. In July 2008, 39 veterans participating in the 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games (Omaha, Nebraska) completed the study. Of these, 26 were manual wheelchair and 13 were power wheelchair users. We collected wheelchair-related mobility data using whe...

Free time 18:00h to 18:15h Conference close and farewell 19:30h to close Conference Banquet Playful Interaction with Voice Sensing Modular Robots B.Heesche, E.MacDonald, R.Fogh, M.Pacheco & D.Christensen “It Don’t Matter If You’re Black or White”? Effects of Robot Appearance and User Prejudice on Evaluations of a Newly Developed Robot Companion F.Eyssel & S.Loughnan Sharing spaces, sharing live...

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a new user-adjustable wheelchair seating system designed to relieve discomfort for long-duration wheelchair users. DESIGN This objective was carried out using the newly developed Tool for Assessing Wheelchair disComfort (TAWC) as the primary outcome measure. Two wheelchair users each tested two different designs and fee...

Large accessible transit vehicles (LATVs, fixed-route intracity buses), generally considered safe, may not be as safe for wheelchair-seated passengers. Transit provider practices vary regarding use of wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint systems (WTORSs), while recent research suggests high levels of WTORS disuse and misuse. We sought to better understand wheelchair and wheelchair passenge...

BACKGROUND Providing wheelchairs without comprehensive support services might be detrimental to user satisfaction and function. OBJECTIVES This paper compares wheelchair user satisfaction and function before and after implementation of comprehensive wheelchair services, based on the World Health Organization guidelines on wheelchair service provision in less resourced settings, in Zimbabwe. ...

BACKGROUND Within a rights-based paradigm, wheelchairs are essential in the promotion of user autonomy, dignity, freedom, inclusion and participation. OBJECTIVES This paper aimed to describe a group of Zimbabwean wheelchair users' satisfaction with wheelchairs, wheelchair services and wheelchair function. METHOD A mixed method, descriptive study was done. Quantitative data was collected fro...

BACKGROUND Wheelchairs provide mobility that can enhance function and community integration. Function in a wheelchair is influenced by wheelchair design. OBJECTIVES To explore the impact of wheelchair design on user function and the variables that guided wheelchair prescription in the study setting. METHOD A mixed-method, descriptive design using convenience sampling was implemented. Quanti...