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Establishing seating and wheeled mobility research priorities
Stephen Sprigle1, Laura Cohen, Kim Davis
1Center for Assistive Technology & Environmental Access, Georgia Institute of Technology, 490 Tenth Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30332-0156, USA. sprigle@gatech.edu
Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology
|March 7, 2009
Summary
Research priorities for wheelchair seating and mobility were identified to improve health outcomes and daily functioning for wheelchair users. Key areas include long-term use impacts, activity participation, and intervention effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Engineering
- Assistive Technology Research
- Wheelchair User Health
Background:
- Challenges exist in studying the health, activity, and participation of wheelchair users.
- The Mobility Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center convened a conference to address these challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and report research priorities in seating and wheeled mobility for wheelchair users.
- To guide future research and development in assistive technology.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to diverse stakeholders including researchers, clinicians, manufacturers, and wheelchair users.
- Participants submitted their top wheeled mobility and seating concerns.
- Conference attendees voted to refine the identified priorities.
Main Results:
- Wheeled Mobility priorities: long-term wheelchair use effects, linking activity/participation to health, research translation to design, and wheelchair design's impact on function.
- Seating/Posture priorities: cushion adequacy, cushion positioning capabilities, long-term effects of sitting, and seating/mobility intervention impacts.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed to fully understand the association between assistive technology (AT) interventions and the health and daily functioning of wheelchair users.
