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Wheelchair stability: effect of body position
R L Kirby1, M T Sampson, F A Thoren
1Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Wheelchair users can significantly alter their static stability by leaning. Leaning away increases stability, while leaning toward the tip reduces it, impacting wheelchair safety.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Rehabilitation Engineering
Background:
- Static stability is crucial for wheelchair safety, especially during reaching tasks.
- Understanding how body movements affect stability is key to preventing falls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the changes in static stability of a wheelchair during reaching and leaning movements.
- To determine the extent to which forward, rearward, and lateral leaning affects wheelchair stability.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-one non-disabled subjects were tested in a standard wheelchair on a tilting platform.
- Static stability was measured in forward, rear, and lateral directions under various leaning conditions.
Main Results:
- Leaning away from the direction of instability increased stability by 9.1% to 124.3%.
- Leaning toward the direction of instability decreased stability by 25.2% to 52.3% (p < 0.0001).
- Forward reaching had a more pronounced effect on stability than other directions.
Conclusions:
- Wheelchair users' ability to control body position significantly impacts wheelchair stability.
- These findings should inform wheelchair selection and user training to enhance safety.