Project title: The Biomechanics, Safety and Confidence of Using a SmartDrive for Wheelchair Propulsion (Part B)
The purpose of the study is to find out how much training is necessary for wheelchair users to use the SmartDrive and explore how the device affects their confidence with mobility.
You may be eligible to participate if you:
- Are over 18 years of age
- Are a manual wheelchair user
- Are able to understand English to fill out the forms
- are able to have SmartDrive mounted to your chair.
What is involved?
You will come to the ICORD mobility research lab (8181 West 10th Avenue) two to five times. The required time for participation of the visits will range from 30 minutes to a maximum of 2 hours depending upon how much training you need. The total time required will range from 4 -7hrs depending on how much time you need to train.
First visit
After collecting demographic information about your age, sex, years of wheelchairs use, previous training etc., the examiner will test your skill level using a standardized outdoor course and the wheelchair skills test. Your wheelchair confidence will also be assessed using a self-report measure.
Second visit
You will be trained to use the SmartDrive for 30 min. During that 30 min training, you will use the SmartDrive to perform different indoor and outdoor activities. After 30 min, the same outcome measurements on visit 1 will be administered, again.
Last visit (3rd -5th visit)
If you feel you need more training, up to three more sessions will be provided. If you feel confident to use the SmartDrive before the 4th training session, no more training will be done. The same outcome measurements used initially will be administered after the final training session.
If you are interested in participating or would like more information please contact Stephanie Wong at stephanie.ka.wong@gmail.com (please type SAFETY in the subject box in your email) or Dr. Bonita Sawatzky at 604-675-8806 or Dr. Ben Mortenson at 604-675-8870.
