Exploring the lived experience of people using ultralight wheelchairs with on-the-fly adjustable seating function

Abstract

Introduction: Manual wheelchairs with spontaneous, user-initiated seating adjustability allow users to independently adjust both rear seat height and backrest angle on-the-fly to optimize positioning for various activities throughout the day.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the lived experience of users of wheelchairs with user-initiated seating adjustability and investigate the impact of this functionality in their day-to-day lives.

Methods: This exploratory study involved eight participants who used manual wheelchairs with spontaneous, user-initiated adjustability. Participants engaged in semi-structured qualitative interviews, during which they were asked general open-ended questions about a typical day using their wheelchair, as well as specific questions addressing day-to-day usage, activity participation, and unique seating applications and situations where adjustments were used.

Results: Our analysis identified three primary themes: (1) “New Angles on Function and Participation” revealed the impact adjustments had on physical function and participation; (2) “Comfort to Reach New Heights” described experiences related to positioning for comfort, and comments related to convenience and general usability; and (3) “Elevating Health and Social Standing” identified perceived effects of the wheelchair on user health and psychosocial parameters such as social interactions and self-esteem.

Conclusions: Our study indicates that adjustable seating can have a significant impact on ultralight wheelchair users. Results may help with prescription of this class of wheelchair, and may also provide potential users and therapists some insight into the range of applications and benefits of on-the-fly adjustment features.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Functional ability can be improved through the use of on-the-fly adjustable seating functions, leading to heightened participation at home and in the community.

• Users of wheelchairs with adjustable seating experience psychosocial benefits including increased social interaction and social inclusion.

• Clinicians and consumers may want to consider the functions that are impacted by adjustable seating as a method of improving reach, transfers, comfort and social interactions of manual wheelchair users.

Keywords:

• Manual wheelchair
• dynamic seating
• ultralight wheelchair
• seat elevation
• participation
• activity
• mobility

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank study participants for their time and valuable contribution to this field of research.

Disclosure statement

J. Borisoff is an employee of PDG Mobility, the manufacturer of the Elevation WheelchairTM. In addition, he is listed on the following patents related to the Elevation WheelchairTM, and has financial interests in the sale of the Elevation WheelchairTM product: US 7.950,684 (licensed to PDG Mobility); US 7,845,665(licensed to PDG Mobility); US 8,042,824 (licensed to PDG Mobility); US 8,801,020 (licensed to PDG Mobility). J. Borisoff was not involved in recruitment, data collection or data analysis. None of the other authors have any affiliation (financial or otherwise) with an equipment, medical device, or communications organization.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by J Borisoff’s Canada Research Chair in Rehabilitation Engineering Design. W. Mortenson’s work was supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator Award (2016-20121).