Comparing the performance of ultralight folding manual wheelchairs using standardized tests

Abstract

Objective To evaluate ultralight folding manual wheelchairs (UFMWs) in order to produce comparative data on their strength, durability, stability and cost–benefit, and to determine progress of wheelchairs by comparing these results to results of past studies. Design Engineering testing using American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) standards. Setting Laboratory testing of UFMW stability, and static, impact and fatigue strength performance with three devices using ANSI/RESNA standardized tests. Participants The three wheelchair models were the TiLite Aero X (Permobil, Lebanon, TN), Sunrise Medical Quickie 2 (Fresno, CA) and Ki Mobility Catalyst 5 (Stevens Point, WI). Interventions ANSI/RESNA standardized tests. Main outcome measures Mass and critical measurements, static stability, static strength, impact strength, fatigue strength and cost analysis. Results The ultralight folding wheelchairs continued to outperform their lightweight and rigid framed counterparts. According to these data, the quality of ultralight wheelchairs has not declined over the past 10 years. The Ki Catalyst did not pass strength and durability testing, while the TiLite Aero X and Sunrise Medical Quickie 2 surpassed these tests. Conclusions This result exemplifies the need for ongoing research to identify whether wheelchairs satisfy ANSI/RESNA testing requirements and highlights the importance of creating a resource data set. This is particularly important when numerous other wheelchairs fail to meet minimum ANSI/RESNA requirements. Implications for Rehabilitation Folding frame wheelchairs offer benefits such as transportability and convenience that may benefit certain wheelchair users, assuming their durability is sufficient and they provide similar benefits vs. other wheelchair construction. Previous studies have shown that folding wheelchairs perform meet the minimum requirements of standardized testing, and it is important to see if durability has increased, decreased or remained the same over the years. Other wheelchair types have remained stagnant with respect to durability and are less likely to meet the minimum durability requirements. Durable devices will improve a wheelchair user’s quality of life by reducing downtime while waiting for repairs, and also reduce the likelihood of injury due to component failure.