Issues in maintenance and repairs of wheelchairs: A pilot study

Abstract

In this pilot study, we assessed wheelchair durability and its effect on user satisfaction. Specifically, we examined the characteristics of the participants' wheelchairs, the types of maintenance and repairs completed, and whether the participants' satisfaction was affected by problems with their wheelchairs. A convenience sample of 130 participants who used wheelchairs as their primary means of mobility was recruited. Participants completed a questionnaire about their wheelchairs, the maintenance and repair history, and their satisfaction levels. Results showed that 26% of the participants had completed a wheelchair repair in the past 6 months, 16% had completed general maintenance, and 27% had completed tire repairs. Neither hours of wheelchair use nor wheelchair age affected repair or maintenance frequency. Participants were generally satisfied with their wheelchairs. Better understanding of wheelchair maintenance and repair issues will guide improvements in wheelchair design and enhance the community participation of individuals who use wheelchairs.

Evaluation of lightweight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA testing standards

“…These advances in design and manufacturing, along with the fact that the ANSI/RESNA durability standards have remained the same, should have resulted in higher quality, better durability, and cost-benefit. Nevertheless, as discussed earlier, wheelchair failures have been increasingly reported in the community over the last 15 yr [8][9][10].…”

“…were required to perform some repair on their wheelchair over a 6 mo period [8]. Another article reported even worse reliability results.…”

Quantitative Exploratory Evaluation of the Frequency, Causes and Consequences of Rehabilitation Wheelchair Breakdowns delivered at a Paediatric Clinic in Mexico

“…Regardless of the delivery mechanism that is employed, daily use and exposure to weather conditions and rough terrain often results in WC failures (Kim and Mulholland, 1999;Cooper et al, 2004;Fitzgerald et al, 2005). When the WC is in disrepair or requires frequent repairs, the individual's function can be reduced; without any form of mobility the individual may be injured or left out (Gaal et al, 1997;Borg et al, 2008;McClure et al, 2009).…”

“…This is especially true in developing countries where access to WCs is generally limited to imported ones, replacement parts are almost impossible or too costly to find, and users often do not have a back-up WC, thereby reducing their mobility and community participation for an undetermined period of time (Hotchkiss, 1987). In developed countries several studies have investigated, in both manual (light or ultra light-weight) and power WCs, the prevalence of WC failures, repairs and related adverse events such as injuries and participation reduction (Gaal et al, 1997;Fitzgerald et al, 2005;McClure et al, 2009;Chen et al, 2011;Worobey et al, 2012). Self-reported WC repairs over a 6-month period ranged from 26% to 53% of the participants in several studies (Fitzgerald et al, 2005;McClure et al, 2009;Worobey et al, 2012).…”

Evaluation of aluminum ultralight rigid wheelchairs versus other ultralight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA standards

“…An estimated 1.5 million people in the United States use manual wheelchairs, and 37 percent of manual wheelchair users are adults of working age [2]. According to a study on veterans by Fitzgerald et al, more than 95 percent of active manual wheelchair users use ultralight wheelchairs [3]. With such a large population of potential ultralight wheelchair users, the performance and quality of ultralight wheelchairs draw attention from manufacturers and clinicians.…”