Power seat function usage and wheelchair discomfort for power wheelchair users

Objectives: To investigate correlations between power seat functions (PSFs) usage and wheelchair discomfort.

Design: Quasi-experimental design: Time series design.

Setting: In-home trial in participants’ home/community.

Participants: Thirteen power wheelchair users who independently used power wheelchairs equipped with PSFs as their primary means of mobility.

Main Outcome Measures: PSF usage variables include the frequency of performing repositioning and using PSFs (tilt, recline, legrests and seat elevation), wheelchair occupancy, and driving distance. The Tool for Assessing Wheelchair disComfort (TAWC) were used to evaluate general discomfort and discomfort intensity.

Results: Spearman correlation coefficient showed that the frequency of using tilt, recline, and legrest is significantly correlated with discomfort intensity. Multiple regression analysis with backward stepwise indicated that these functions can explain 43.8% of the variance (R2?=?.438, F(3,33)?=?8.588, P?Conclusions: For people who used power wheelchairs equipped with PSFs, correlation analysis and regression modeling provided evidence from the quantitative data that increasing the frequency of using PSFs may decrease wheelchair discomfort. Future studies should include interventions to encourage people to use their PSFs appropriately.