Abstract
Our article has limitations, which we thoroughly describe. However, as the article
highlights, wheelchairs are requiring repairs much too often, the repairs are causing
significant consequences for users, and the problem is getting worse. The commentary
concludes that producing a strong study will be difficult and of limited value, but
offers no call for better, larger studies or suggestions for improvements. We believe
there is much to be learned from our data, and our conclusion is that we need to do
better. We need more information, larger cohorts, and better methods. It is the best
way to cause changes that will positively impact the millions of wheelchair users
around the world.
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to Archives of Physical Medicine and RehabilitationAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
References
- Performance metrics for power wheelchairs: a pipe dream?.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2014; 95: 604-607
- Differences between manufacturers in reported power wheelchair repairs and adverse consequences among people with spinal cord injury.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2014; 95: 597-603
- Guidance document for the preparation of premarket notification [510k] applications for mechanical and powered wheelchairs, and motorized three-wheeled vehicles.Food and Drug Administration Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Rockville1995 (Reformatted (December 18, 1997). Available at: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/GuidanceDocuments/ucm080524.htm. Accessed January 16, 2014)
Article info
Footnotes
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this letter has conferred or will confer a benefit on the authors or on any organization with which the authors are associated.
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
ScienceDirect
Access this article on ScienceDirectLinked Article
- Differences Between Manufacturers in Reported Power Wheelchair Repairs and Adverse Consequences Among People With Spinal Cord InjuryArchives of Physical Medicine and RehabilitationVol. 95Issue 4
- PreviewTo compare the frequency of power wheelchair (PWC) repairs and consequences experienced over a 6-month period by individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who use a PWC ≥40h/wk, based on manufacturer, seating functions, Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) group, and model, and over time.
- Full-Text
- Preview
- Performance Metrics for Power Wheelchairs: A Pipe Dream?Archives of Physical Medicine and RehabilitationVol. 95Issue 4
- PreviewPower wheelchair (PWC) users depend on their equipment to reliably transport them throughout daily activities and allow them to participate fully in community life. However, as reported by Worobey and colleagues, PWCs frequently require repairs and cause users a variety of problems, which can range from annoying to catastrophic. These authors suggest that comparing the performance of individual PWC makes and models—a PWC Consumer Reports—might be helpful to inform users and others about the relative quality of different products.
- Full-Text
- Preview
