Comparison of Virtual Wheelchair Driving Performance of People With Traumatic Brain Injury Using an Isometric and a Conventional Joystick

Mahajan H, Spaeth DM, Dicianno BE, Collins DM, Boninger ML, Cooper RA. Comparison of virtual wheelchair driving performance of people with traumatic brain injury using an isometric and a conventional joystick.ObjectiveTo compare wheelchair driving performance in a driving simulator using a conventional joystick and an isometric joystick.DesignRandomized, cohort study.SettingA research facility based in a hospital or in an independent living center.ParticipantsParticipants (N=20; 12 men, 8 women; mean age ± SD, 30.62±10.91y) who were at least 1 year post-TBI.InterventionsDriving performance using an isometric joystick compared with a conventional movement joystick.Main Outcome MeasuresAverage trial completion time, and trajectory-specific measures measured orthogonal to the center of driving tasks: root mean squared error, movement offset, movement error, and number of significant changes in heading.ResultsAfter statistically controlling for driving speed, participants were able to complete the driving tasks faster with an isometric joystick than while using a conventional movement joystick. Compared with the conventional joystick, an isometric joystick used for driving forward demonstrated fewer driving errors. During reverse driving the conventional joystick performed better.ConclusionsThe customizable isometric joystick seems to be a promising interface for driving a powered wheelchair for individuals with TBI.