Users' responses to contoured wheelchair handrims

The responses of 28 spinal cord injured wheelchair users who tested a contoured handrim design were analyzed. Paraplegics, who had stronger grip strength, preferred the contoured design compared with their own handrims in 10 of 12 circumstances of use, as well as according to overall assessment. Most indicated they would pay the estimated additional cost to produce the test shape, which is designed for increasing the contact between hand and rim. Quadriplegics, with weaker and more viable grips, gave mixed responses. This opinion study illustrates some of the problems encountered in evaluation of a new equipment for disabled persons.