Assessment of wheelchair driving performance in a virtual reality-based simulator. (July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mahajan, Harshal P.; Dicianno, Brad E.; Cooper, Rory A.; Ding, Dan
• Is Part Of: Journal of spinal cord medicine. Volume 36:Number 4(2013:Jul.)
• Page Start: 322
• Page End: 332
• Publication Date: 2013-07
• Subjects: Wheelchair -- Assistive technology -- Virtual reality -- Driving simulator -- User–computer interface -- Multiple sclerosis -- Cerebral palsy -- Muscular dystrophy -- Spinal cord injury; Spinal cord -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Spinal cord -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.8305
• DOI: 10.1179/2045772313Y.0000000130
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1079-0268

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To develop a virtual reality (VR)-based simulator that can assist clinicians in performing standardized wheelchair driving assessments. Design: A completely within-subjects repeated measures design. Methods: Participants drove their wheelchairs along a virtual driving circuit modeled after the Power Mobility Road Test (PMRT) and in a hallway with decreasing width. The virtual simulator was displayed on computer screen and VR screens and participants interacted with it using a set of instrumented rollers and a wheelchair joystick. Driving performances of participants were estimated and compared using quantitative metrics from the simulator. Qualitative ratings from two experienced clinicians were used to estimate intra- and inter-rater reliability. Results: Ten regular wheelchair users (seven men, three women; mean age ± SD, 39.5 ± 15.39 years) participated. The virtual PMRT scores from the two clinicians show high inter-rater reliability (78–90%) and high intra-rater reliability (71–90%) for all test conditions. More research is required to explore user preferences and effectiveness of the two control methods (rollers and mathematical model) and the display screens. Conclusions: The virtual driving simulator seems to be a promising tool for wheelchair driving assessment that clinicians can use to supplement their real-world evaluations.