Steering-by-leaning: Feasibility of Utilising Dynamic Backrests to Control Steering in Manual Wheelchairs

Abstract

Steering-by-leaning is a promising innovation for manual wheelchairs. It may enable improved energy efficiency, one-handed manoeuvrability, and increased trunk activity during wheelchair use in daily life. To explore the feasibility of this concept, the lateral trunk function of active wheelchair users was assessed before comparing 3 preliminary dynamic backrest designs in a virtual steering exercise. Repeated measures, cross-over study. A convenience sample of 15 individuals who had been full-time users of manual wheelchair for at least 1 year. Active core strength and lateral leaning range of motion were captured while sitting freely. Participants subsequently tested 3 dynamic wheelchair backrest designs on an individually adjusted laboratory wheelchair prototype by performing a virtual steering exercise. Deviations from a target movement path were analysed using repeated measures analysis of variance and Pearson correlation coefficients. Functional leaning range of motion ranged from below 10° to almost 70°, but increased significantly with use of the simplest backrest design based on a 2-dimensional hinge joint. No correlation was found between functional levels and performance parameters in the virtual steering exercise. Using an individually fitted and calibrated design, upper body-actuated wheelchair steering using a laterally tilting backrest is accessible to wheelchair users across a wide spectrum of physical abilities.