Evaluation of the Nino® Two-Wheeled Power Mobility Device: A Pilot Study.

Novel technologies such as the Nino® two-wheeled powered mobility device are promoted as offering an intuitive improved experience compared to conventional wheelchair mobility use. The Nino® has a smaller footprint than a power wheelchair, a zero-degree turning radius, tiller-based steering, and relies on the user leaning forwards and back to move and brake. This study aimed to evaluate manual wheelchair users' ability to use the Nino® to complete a variety of wheelchair skills, and also investigated task demand, user confidence, and user perceptions. Twelve participants with a mean of 22 years of experience using a wheelchair completed the study; most had spinal cord injuries and one had multiple sclerosis. Our findings indicate that Wheelchair Skills Test scores were significantly higher for individuals in their manual wheelchair than in the Nino®. Results from the Wheelchair Use Confidence Scale showed that confidence scores increased significantly after completing Nino® training, and that participants were significantly more confident using their manual chair than the Nino®. Cognitive workload, as measured by the NASA-Task Load Index, was significantly higher in the Nino® than in participants' manual wheelchairs. Findings from qualitative interviews suggest that the Nino® is unlikely to be suitable as a functional replacement of an individual's manual wheelchair. Most participants felt unsafe during braking. Other perceptions included that the Nino may be a good alternative for use as a recreational outdoor mobility device, a powered mobility option to help prevent upper extremity overuse injuries, have a positive impact on social interactions, but that a high degree of focus was required during use. In addition to needing to address safety, usability, and functional concerns, the data suggests a clinical focus on training individuals to use these new devices may be necessary for effective community use.

Wheelchair skills training programme for children: a pilot study.

AIM: Wheelchair skills are not typically provided when a child gets a new wheelchair. The purpose of this prospective pilot study was to determine the effectiveness of a two-day modified Wheelchair Skills Programme 3.2 for children. METHODS: Six children (ages 6-19 years) with spinal cord injuries or spina bifida were invited to participate in a two-day wheelchair skills programme provided on subsequent Saturdays. Children were tested before and after training using a modified Wheelchair Skills Test 3.2. To assess for the effect of the programme on participation, the Activity Skills for Kids was used before and one month after training. For a more qualitative reflection, an Impact Questionnaire was given at four months post-training. RESULTS: There was a significant (14%) increase in skills based on the Wheelchair Skills Test 3.2. No change in participation was measured with the Activity Skills for Kids. The Impact Questionnaire suggests the skill training allowed participants to do more, with less pain and fatigue post-training. CONCLUSIONS: A two-day wheelchair skills programme can potentially improve skill level in children with spinal cord injuries or spina bifida.

The Segway for people with disabilities: meeting clients' mobility goals.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine how the Segway compares to clients' current method of mobility in meeting their specific mobility goals. DESIGN: This study included 10 subjects (aged 19-65 yrs) with a wide range of disabilities (e.g., multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and amputee) who were able to walk at least 6 m with or without assistance. Subjects navigated a 25-m obstacle course at our provincial adult rehabilitation center with their current mobility devices and then the Segway. The outcome measures used were the Wheelchair Outcome Measure score and the difference in the time required to complete the obstacle course. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in Wheelchair Outcome Measure score between subjects' current mobility method and using the Segway for client specific goals (P < 0.01); however, there was no significant difference between obstacle course times. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that the Segway may be a good device for people with disabilities because it allows them to participate in social and functional activities in a manner that traditional mobility aids do not facilitate as well. However, it does have its limitations and should be considered as just one of the many mobility options offered to people with disabilities.

The segway personal transporter as an alternative mobility device for people with disabilities: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the functional measures that best correlate with the skill levels of people with disabilities who operate a Segway Personal Transporter, and-using a qualitative analysis-to explore subjects' experience with the Segway. DESIGN: A prospective study encompassing 3 training sessions with the Segway to correlate subjects' functional ability (eg, cognition, balance, mobility, muscle strength) with their skill level on the device. SETTING: A provincial adult rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three subjects (age range, 19-65y) with a wide range of disabilities (eg, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, amputation) who could walk at least 6m with or without assistance. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Segway Task Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, and Timed Up & Go test. RESULTS: No correlation was found because all participants successfully completed the final Segway Task Assessment, regardless of scores on functional assessments. CONCLUSIONS: The Segway is a useful device for a broad range of populations with functional disabilities. Subjects found the Segway easy to use and were excited about its potential as an assistive device for use in their communities.

Wheeling efficiency: the effects of varying tyre pressure with children and adolescents.

PURPOSE: Clinicians often observe child wheelchair users wheeling on tyres that are not inflated to manufacturer's recommendations. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in energy expenditure that are related to decreased tyre pressure. METHODS: A within subject repeated measures design was used to assess the energy requirements of wheeling with four randomized tire inflation levels (25, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended tire pressure, 100 psi). All 10 subjects (mean age 14.2 +/- 2.3 years completed four 5-minute trials (one for each tyre pressure), while wheeling at a constant, self-selected velocity. Heart rate and wheeling velocity were measured. RESULTS: There was no change in wheeling velocity with changes in tyre pressure; however, energy expenditure was found to increase by over 15% with decreasing tyre pressure (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In order for children to minimize their energy expenditure and, thus, improve their independence, clinicians and parents must be educated as to the importance of regular wheelchair tyre inflation regimes.

The ergonomics of different tyres and tyre pressure during wheelchair propulsion.

It is believed that the newer solid tyres on wheelchairs perform as well as pneumatic tyres along with less cost and time for maintenance. The questions are: (1) do solid tyres perform as well as pneumatic tyres and (2) what is the critical level of pneumatic tyre pressure before wheeling efficiency decreases? Part one measured the rolling resistance differences of five commonly used wheelchair tyres (three pneumatic and two solid) under four different tyre pressures (100, 75, 50 and 25 of inflation). Part two measured the oxygen consumption in 15 participants with paraplegia, during wheelchair propulsion, comparing the same four levels of tyre inflation. The solid tyres performed worse than all three pneumatic tyres even when tyres were under-inflated to 25% of tyre pressure. Two of the pneumatic tyres showed significant decreases in rolling between 100 and 50%, but there were no significant differences in rolling distance between 100 and 75% pressure. The physiological study showed that energy expenditure increased significantly at 50% of tyre-inflation. Health care facilities are finding ways to decrease cost by using solid tyres on all wheelchairs. This study shows that benefits to clients and staff using pneumatic tyres far outweigh the minimal cost in time to maintain adequate tyre inflation.