The potential impact of intelligent power wheelchair use on social participation: perspectives of users, caregivers and clinicians. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rushton, Paula W.; Kairy, Dahlia; Archambault, Philippe; Pituch, Evelina; Torkia, Caryne; El Fathi, Anas; Stone, Paula; Routhier, François; Forget, Robert; Pineau, Joelle; Gourdeau, Richard; Demers, Louise
• Is Part Of: Disability and rehabilitation. Volume 10:Number 3(2015:May)
• Page Start: 191
• Page End: 197
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Rehabilitation technology -- Periodicals; Self-help devices for people with disabilities -- Periodicals; 617.03
• DOI: 10.3109/17483107.2014.907366
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-3107

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Purpose</italic>: To explore power wheelchair users', caregivers' and clinicians' perspectives regarding the potential impact of intelligent power wheelchair use on social participation. <italic>Methods</italic>: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with power wheelchair users (<italic>n</italic> = 12), caregivers (<italic>n</italic> = 4) and clinicians (<italic>n</italic> = 12). An illustrative video was used to facilitate discussion. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. <italic>Results</italic>: Three main themes were identified based on the experiences of the power wheelchair users, caregivers and clinicians: (1) increased social participation opportunities, (2) changing how social participation is experienced and (3) decreased risk of accidents during social participation. <italic>Conclusion</italic>: Findings from this study suggest that an intelligent power wheelchair would enhance social participation in a variety of important ways, thereby providing support for continued design and development of this assistive technology.<list list-type="bullet"><title>Implications for Rehabilitation</title><list-item><p>An intelligent power wheelchair has the potential to:</p></list-item><list-item><p>Increase social participation opportunities by overcoming challenges associated with navigating through crowds and small spaces.</p></list-item><list-item><p>Change how social participation is experienced through "normalizing" social interactions and decreasing the effort required to drive a power wheelchair.</p></list-item><list-item><p>Decrease the risk of accidents during social participation by reducing the need for dangerous compensatory strategies and minimizing the impact of the physical environment.</p></list-item></list></p> </abstract>