this article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: gebrosky b, pearlman j,...
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This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Gebrosky B, Pearlman J, Cooper RA, Cooper R, Kelleher A. Evaluation of lightweight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA testing standards. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013;50(10):1373–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2012.08.0155
Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2012.08.0155JSP
Evaluation of lightweight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA testing
standards
Benjamin Gebrosky, BS; Jonathan Pearlman, PhD; Rory A. Cooper, PhD; Rosemarie Cooper, MPT, ATP;
Annmarie Kelleher, MS, OTR/L, ATP
This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Gebrosky B, Pearlman J, Cooper RA, Cooper R, Kelleher A. Evaluation of lightweight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA testing standards. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013;50(10):1373–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2012.08.0155
Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2012.08.0155JSP
• Aim– Evaluate folding lightweight wheelchair models using
American National Standards Institute/Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America (ANSI/RESNA) standards.
• Relevance– While design and manufacturing advances plus consistent
ANSI/RESNA standards should have led to higher quality, better durability, and cost-benefit, wheelchair failures have been increasingly reported over last 15 yr.
This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Gebrosky B, Pearlman J, Cooper RA, Cooper R, Kelleher A. Evaluation of lightweight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA testing standards. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013;50(10):1373–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2012.08.0155
Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2012.08.0155JSP
Method• Tested 3 lightweight wheelchairs:– (a) Sunrise Medical Breezy 600.– (b) Invacare 9000XT.– (c) Invacare Patriot Plus.
• Performed 6 ANSI/RESNA Tests:– Static stability.– Effectiveness of brakes.– Dimensions, mass, and maneuvering space.– Measurement of seating and wheel dimensions.– Static, impact, and fatigue strengths.– Information disclosure, documentation, labeling.
This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Gebrosky B, Pearlman J, Cooper RA, Cooper R, Kelleher A. Evaluation of lightweight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA testing standards. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013;50(10):1373–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2012.08.0155
Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2012.08.0155JSP
Results• We hypothesized that quality of lightweight
wheelchairs had declined. – 7 of 9 wheelchairs tested failed multidrum test
durability requirements.– Average of 194,502 equivalent cycles was
completed.• Similar to previous test results.• Far below 400,000 minimum ANSI/RESNA requirement. • Significantly worse than test results for aluminum
ultralight folding wheelchairs.
This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Gebrosky B, Pearlman J, Cooper RA, Cooper R, Kelleher A. Evaluation of lightweight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA testing standards. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013;50(10):1373–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2012.08.0155
Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2012.08.0155JSP
Conclusion• Results uncovered some disturbing issues with
lightweight wheelchairs.• Recommendations to improve durability:– Require wheelchairs to be tested by independent
and certified test laboratories.– Implement wheelchair rating system based on
National Highway Transportation Safety Administration 5-star vehicle crash ratings.• Would help clinicians and end users compare durability of
different wheelchairs.