A Paired Outcomes Study Comparing Two Pediatric Wheelchairs for Low-Resource Settings: The Regency Pediatric Wheelchair and a Similarly Sized Wheelchair Made in Kenya

Abstract

This comparative study of two similar wheelchairs designed for less-resourced settings provides feedback to manufacturers, informing ongoing improvement in wheelchair design. It also provides practical familiarity to clinicians in countries where these chairs are available, in their selection of prescribed wheelchairs. In Kenya, 24 subjects completed 3 timed skills and assessments of energy cost on 2 surfaces in each of 2 wheelchairs: the Regency pediatric chair and a pediatric wheelchair manufactured by the Association of the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK). Both wheelchairs are designed for and distributed in less-resourced settings. The Regency chair significantly outperformed the APDK chair in one of the energy cost assessments on both surfaces and in one of three timed skills tests.

Keywords:

• International Classification of Function (ICF)
• outcome measurement
• outcomes research
• manual wheelchair propulsion
• pediatric wheelchair
• wheelchair

Acknowledgements

We thank our host organization in Kenya and the primary school we worked with, the Kenyan Ministry of Medical Services, Joni & Friends, The Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya, LeTourneau University, Queen’s University, and the therapists and seating specialists.