Assessing manual wheelchair caster design for mobility in winter conditions

Berthelette, Michele S; Mann, D. D.; Ripat, Jacquie; Glazebrook, Cheryl M.

doi:10.1080/10400435.2018.1464080

“…Although products and technologies were the focus of almost half of the located papers, not all studies evaluated product performance and the wide diversity in products tested, methods used, and product user populations makes definitive conclusions on performance effectiveness impossible. Products with at least some minimal performance evaluation included wheelchair casters, 16 power wheelchairs, 17 , 18 mobility scooters, 35 , 39 cane or crutches, 19 , 20 , 40 and shoes or cleats. 21 , 22 , 34 , 36 Although there are some winter-specific products available on vendor websites, most of them do not have any supporting research evidence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Winter Mobility and Community Participation Among People Who Use Mobility Devices: A Scoping Review

Ripat

¹

,

Sibley

²

,

Giesbrecht

³

et al. 2020

Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation

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Objective To identify the knowledge, products, and strategies for individuals with mobility-related disabilities used to address challenging winter conditions. Data Sources AgeLine, OVID, Scopus, and CIHAHL were searched for studies that met the inclusion criteria, from inception to April 2018. Sources for gray literature, or information outside commercial publishing, included ProQUEST, government websites, and manufacturers, vendors, and consumer organization websites. Source Selection Population of people with limited or reduced mobility or mobility device users involved in winter-related environmental conditions; aim was to increase activity, participation, or safety. Data Extraction Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria to select eligible sources. Two reviewers independently extracted the data from each source. Data Synthesis Twenty-three published peer-reviewed papers were located. Study populations were predominantly those who used wheelchairs (mixed wheelchair type, n=7; power, n=4; manual, n=2), canes (n=3), or specialized winter footwear (n=2). The primary focus of these papers was determined to be tool or device (n=10), recommendations (n=9), strategy (n=2), or resource (n=2). Civic policy documents were variable in citizen responsibility for snow clearing. Limited winter-related supports were identified on consumer organization websites. Although some winter-specific products exist, very few studies have examined the effectiveness of any of these products. Conclusions Despite the common experience of challenging winter conditions, a paucity of winter-specific research and innovation relevant for individuals who use mobility devices exists. Researchers, consumers, and industry need to partner to develop novel tools, strategies, resources, and evidence-based recommendations.

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“…Individuals who use manual wheelchairs (MWC) as their primary means of mobility typically experience seasonal-related accessibility barriers in the winter months ( 1 ). Environmental barriers such as icy or snow-covered surfaces and snow windrows have been reported as frequent barriers to mobility in studies of MWC users in Manitoba ( 2 , 3 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These seasonal barriers can influence both the frequency and quality of community participation. Findings from a 12-month longitudinal study of 11 wheelchair users confirmed they made fewer trips per day and wheeled shorter distances at slower speeds during non-summer (vs. summer) months, on winter days with (vs. without) snow accumulation, and on winter days when temperatures were below (vs. above) 0 ° C ( 1 ). A focus group with eight Manitobans who use wheelchairs concluded that winter community participation should be considered a right for all citizens ( 6 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Observations and recounting by MWC users have identified a variety of factors that contribute to the challenges of using a MWC in winter conditions. Ice or hard-packed snow on travel surfaces causes traction loss and slippage for both the larger rear drive wheels and the smaller front casters ( 1 , 6 , 8 , 9 ). This loss of traction can impede forward movement or create an undesired direction change due to asynchronous wheel rotation ( 1 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Development of the Standardized Navigation Of Winter Mobility & Accessibility Network (SNOWMAN) course

Ripat,

Giesbrecht,

Borisoff

et al. 2024

Front. Rehabil. Sci.

0

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IntroductionManual wheelchairs (MWC) users have limited mobility during winter months as they encounter many environmental barriers that restrict their community participation. This paper outlines the creation and standardization of an outdoor environment designed to simulate the real-life conditions and obstacles experienced by MWC users in winter.Methods and resultsThis study consisted of four phases. In Phase 1, researchers used a qualitative ethnographic approach to document the specific challenges and adaptive strategies used by MWC users in winter conditions. In Phase 2, key informants with expertise in MWC winter mobility were invited to co-design the Standardized Navigation Of Winter Mobility & Accessibility Network (SNOWMAN) course. Participants reviewed draft design solutions and offered their input and suggestions to expand upon the initial design. A second co-design workshop included additional key informants, including service providers, policymakers, and professionals with expertise in landscape architecture and engineering, to validate the design solution. The workshops resulted in a detailed illustration of the SNOWMAN course, including five sections: platforms with side slopes, a miniature ice rink, curbs and curb cuts, a path with uneven winter surfaces, and modular ramps at various slopes. Phases 3 and 4 marked the conclusion of the study and involved fabrication of the SNOWMAN course and establishment of a standardized protocol for course setup and maintenance.DiscussionThe project aimed to offer several additional potential benefits, supported by the various stakeholders across the study phases, that extend beyond creation of a controlled and safe environment for wheelchair users to develop their winter mobility skills. Practicing wheelchair skills in this area may assist wheelchair users in gaining confidence which may ultimately translate to increased participation in the community.

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“…This is consistent with the findings from the study of Lin and Sprigle [ 3 ] who found a decrease in the propulsion efforts with the increased percentage weight on the rear wheels. In addition, the effect of caster design on wheelchair mobility in winter conditions has been reported [ 15 ]. Based on the findings reported in the abovementioned studies, there seems to be a direct correlation between wheel/caster configuration and rolling resistance that, ultimately, influences the physiological demand for manual wheelchair propulsion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Manual Wheelchair Type on Mobility Performance, Cardiorespiratory Responses, and Perceived Exertion

Bertolaccini

¹

,

Sandnes

²

,

Médola

³

et al. 2022

Rehabilitation Research and Practice

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This study is aimed at comparing the design and configuration of the most commonly used manual wheelchair models through cardiorespiratory responses, perceived exertion, and mobility performance using two different manual wheelchairs, during mobility tasks. A within-group 2 × 3 × 2 controlled experiment was designed with three independent and four dependent variables. The independent variables included wheelchairs, with the levels active wheelchair with a rigid frame and passive wheelchair with foldable frame; conditions with the levels straight line, slalom, and agility; and speed with levels comfortable and fast. Dependent variables included oxygen uptake (VO2), distance travelled, speed, and perceived exertion. Results show that the active wheelchair yielded more beneficial characteristics although only the effect of wheelchair type on VO2 efficiency (oxygen uptake per meter travelled) was statistically significant with a large effect size ( F 1 , 14 = 118.298 , p < 0.001 , η 2 = 0.541 ). The better VO2 efficiency was achieved with the active wheelchair under all tested conditions. The effect of wheelchair type on Borg scores was also statistically significant, although with a small effect size ( F 1 , 14 = 10.340 , p = 0.006 , η 2 = 0.119 ); thus, active wheelchair use had lower Borg scores under all trials and was considered less exhausting than the passive wheelchair. In summary, use of the active wheelchair resulted in the users expending less energy per meter travelled and at the same time experiencing less fatigue. This may benefit overall wheelchair mobility and possibly reduce health complications.

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Assessing manual wheelchair caster design for mobility in winter conditions

Cited by 8 publications

References 17 publications

Winter Mobility and Community Participation Among People Who Use Mobility Devices: A Scoping Review

Winter Mobility and Community Participation Among People Who Use Mobility Devices: A Scoping Review

Development of the Standardized Navigation Of Winter Mobility & Accessibility Network (SNOWMAN) course

Effect of Manual Wheelchair Type on Mobility Performance, Cardiorespiratory Responses, and Perceived Exertion

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