Feasibility, usability, and acceptability of a novel open-source low-cost manual standing wheelchair in low economic...

Objectives: Standing wheelchairs are highly beneficial but often cost-prohibitive. To address this, we have developed a low-cost, open-source manual standing wheelchair. This study aimed to test the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of the standing wheelchair among thirty paraplegic users in Bangladesh over nine months.

Methods: Data were collected using a wheelchair usability questionnaire based on a Likert scale, and qualitative feedback was obtained through an open-ended questionnaire to assess the acceptability of the wheelchair.

Results: The locally developed wheelchair had a material cost of only US$166, making it feasible and mostly affordable for individuals with paraplegia in Bangladesh. The usability and acceptability study involved 26 males and 4 females with an average age of 30.8 ± 8.5 years, height of 165.02 ± 6.8 cm, and weight of 57.3 ± 8.3 kg. On average each participant stood 7.7 ± 1.2 h using the standing wheelchair. Questionnaire data suggest that the study participants felt safe using the wheelchair (mean score: 8.4/10) and reported that very little effort was needed to operate it (3.3/10). Furthermore, being able to stand and talk to people while using the standing wheelchair increased their confidence (7.7/10) and made them feel happy (8.2/10). When standing, all participants exhibited a lower level of nervousness (2.4/10). Users also anticipated that the standing wheelchair would enhance their involvement in household activities (7.3/10).

Conclusions: Overall user satisfaction was high (7.1/10). The study found that the standing wheelchair is affordable, easy to operate, and well accepted by individuals who use conventional wheelchairs in rehabilitation settings.