Development and Testing of an Innovative User-Adjustable Support Surface for Wheelchair Seating Discomfort

Abstract

Beginning in 2000, a study of discomfort experienced by wheelchair users and development of technology solutions were undertaken. This research culminated with the present study of a new technology targeting sitting discomfort. Support for development of the "Butt Scooter" prototype and its testing was provided through an NIH research grant. Investigators tested a prototype device, called the "Butt Scooter," and conducted a focus group to obtain expert clinical opinions about the potential usefulness of the prototype. Subject testing of the prototype device followed a single subject design (ABABA). Subjects self-administered the Tool for Assessing Wheelchair disComfort (TAWC) to evaluate their discomfort levels. Results from three subjects are reported. All three expert therapists participating in the focus group responded favorably to the prototype. In summary, results from subject testing were somewhat mixed with regard to discomfort management, however all subjects commented positively on the features of the device.

Critical Issues in Advancing the Special Education Technology Evidence Base

“…Periodically, the literature features the results of well-designed pilot research studies conducted during the product development process that offer limited but empirical evidence about the efficacy of an innovative intervention. Exemplary recent studies have examined a range of topics, such as using robots as personal aides (Billard, Nadel, & Dautenhahn, 2007;Kulyukin, Gharpure, & Coster, 2008), adjustable wheelchair seating (Crane, Hobson, & Stadelmeier, 2010), the use of speech recognition technologies for improving writing fluency (Garrett et al, 2011), development of a virtual history museum (Okolo, Englert, Bouck, & Heutsche, 2006), adapted access that allows remote switch access for operating an iPod (Jones, Grogg, Anschutz, & Fierman, 2008), or a virtual mouse for individuals with neuromotor disorder (Mukherjee, Chakraborty, & Basu, 2008). In general, we must recognize that research follows innovation.…”