Evaluation of Pushrim-Activated Power-Assisted Wheelchairs Using ANSI/RESNA Standards

Karmarkar A, Cooper RA, Liu H, Connor S, Puhlman J. Evaluation of pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA standards.ObjectiveTo determine and compare performance of pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchairs (PAPAW) (iGLIDE, e-motion, Xtender) on national standards.DesignEngineering performance and safety evaluation.SettingA Veteran Affairs and university-based research center.SpecimensNine PAPAWs.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresStatic, dynamic stability, brake effectiveness, maximum speed, acceleration, retardation, energy consumption, static, impact, and fatigue strength.ResultsThere was no significant difference among the 3 models in forward stability. The iGLIDE was the most stable, whereas the e-motion was the least stable model in the rearward stability tests. All PAPAWs performed equally on the slopes of 3° and 6° in the forward and rearward directions. Braking distance was the highest for e-motion (5.64±0.28m) and the lowest (1.13±0.03m) for the iGLIDE in forward direction. The average equivalent cycles of all PAPAWs were 318,292±112,776.6 cycles (n=8) on the fatigue tests. All PAPAWs passed the impact and static strength tests.ConclusionsThe standards of the American National Standards Institute and the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America could act as quality assurance tool for wheelchairs. The standards for wheelchairs were first approved in 1990; after 17 years, exceeding the minimum values in the standards would be a reasonable expectation.