Car transfer and wheelchair loading techniques in independent drivers with paraplegia

Model System:

Reference Type:

Accession No.:

Journal:

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Article describes techniques and factors influencing car transfer and wheelchair loading for 29 individuals with paraplegia driving their own vehicles and using their personal wheelchairs. Sedans were the most common vehicle driven. Just over half of drivers placed their right leg only into the vehicle prior to transfer. Overall, the leading hand was most frequently placed on the driver's seat prior to transfer and the trailing hand was most often place on the wheelchair seat. Vehicle height influenced leading hand placement but not leg placement such that drivers of higher profile vehicles were more likely to place their hand on the driver's seat than those who drove sedans. Body lift time was negatively correlated with level of injury and age and positively correlated with vehicle height and shoulder abduction strength. Drivers who transferred with their leading hand on the steering wheel had significantly higher levels of shoulder pain than those who placed their hand on the driver's seat or overhead. The majority of participants used both hands to load their wheelchair frame, and overall, most loaded their frame into the back versus the front seat. Sedan drivers were more likely to load their frame into the front seat than drivers of higher profile vehicles. Average time to load the wheelchair frame (10.7 seconds) was 20 percent of the total wheelchair loading time and was not related to shoulder strength, frame weight, or demographic characteristics. Those who loaded their wheelchair frame into the back seat had significantly weaker right shoulder internal rotators.

Author(s):

Participating Centers: