Training wheelchair navigation in immersive virtual environments for patients with spinal cord injury – end-user input to design an effective system

Abstract

Purpose: A user-centred design was used to develop and test the feasibility of an immersive 3D virtual reality wheelchair training tool for people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Method: A Wheelchair Training System was designed and modelled using the Oculus Rift headset and a Dynamic Control wheelchair joystick. The system was tested by clinicians and expert wheelchair users with SCI. Data from focus groups and individual interviews were analysed using a general inductive approach to thematic analysis.

Results: Four themes emerged: Realistic System, which described the advantages of a realistic virtual environment; a Wheelchair Training System, which described participants’ thoughts on the wheelchair training applications; Overcoming Resistance to Technology, the obstacles to introducing technology within the clinical setting; and Working outside the Rehabilitation Bubble which described the protective hospital environment.

Conclusions: The Oculus Rift Wheelchair Training System has the potential to provide a virtual rehabilitation setting which could allow wheelchair users to learn valuable community wheelchair use in a safe environment. Nausea appears to be a side effect of the system, which will need to be resolved before this can be a viable clinical tool.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Immersive virtual reality shows promising benefit for wheelchair training in a rehabilitation setting.

• Early engagement with consumers can improve product development.

Keywords:

• Spinal cord injury
• virtual reality
• wheelchair training

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge: Envivo Ltd for the 3D scanning, Dynamic Controls Ltd for the wheelchair controller, Stickmen Media Ltd for the creation of the model, and the study participants who freely gave up their time.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Funding information

This project was funded by Callaghan Innovation’s inspiring new technology uptake program.