Estimating power wheelchair battery lifespan based on real-world data

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Medical Device Technology
• Battery Science

Background:

• Power wheelchairs (PWCs) are essential mobility devices.
• Battery lifespan is a critical factor in PWC functionality and user independence.
• Variability in battery performance necessitates further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the battery lifespan of power wheelchairs (PWCs).
• To identify factors influencing battery lifespan variability.
• To inform users, providers, and manufacturers about PWC battery longevity.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study using data from the Wheelchair Repair Registry (WRR).
• Analysis of 1268 PWCs distributed between 2016 and 2018.
• Stratified Cox proportional hazard model to examine factors associated with battery lifespan.

Main Results:

• Median battery lifespan was 22.3 months, with 40.2% requiring replacement within the study period.
• Cumulative incidences of battery replacement were 14.5% (1 year), 56.2% (2 years), and 88.2% (3 years).
• Specific PWC manufacturers (C and D) and warmer operating climates (65-75°F) were associated with shorter and longer battery lifespans, respectively.

Conclusions:

• PWC battery lifespan varies significantly across manufacturers and operating climates.
• Warmer climates are associated with extended battery life.
• Further research into battery types used by manufacturers is recommended to optimize PWC performance and reduce costs.