Evaluation of pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA standards
July 3rd, 2009 Evaluation of pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA standards
OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare performance of pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchairs (PAPAW) (iGLIDE, e-motion, Xtender) on national standards. DESIGN: Engineering performance and safety evaluation. SETTING: A Veteran Affairs and university-based research center. SPECIMENS: Nine PAPAWs. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Static, dynamic stability, brake effectiveness, maximum speed, acceleration, retardation, energy consumption, static, impact, and fatigue strength. RESULTS: There was no significant difference among the 3 models in forward stability. The iGLIDE was the most stable, whereas the e-motion was the least stable model in the rearward stability tests. All PAPAWs performed equally on the slopes of 3 degrees and 6 degrees in the forward and rearward directions. Braking distance was the highest for e-motion (5.64+/-0.28m) and the lowest (1.13+/-0.03m) for the iGLIDE in forward direction. The average equivalent cycles of all PAPAWs were 318,292+/-112,776.6 cycles (n=8) on the fatigue tests. All PAPAWs passed the impact and static strength tests. CONCLUSIONS: The standards of the American National Standards Institute and http://www.easymedonline.com/Mobility-Scooters-s/20.htm, power wheelchairs the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America could act as quality assurance tool for wheelchairs. The standards for wheelchairs were first approved in 1990; after 17 years, exceeding the minimum values in the standards would be a reasonable expectation
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