Article

Manual wheelchair-handling skills by caregivers using new and conventional rear anti-tip
devices: a randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVE:
To test the hypothesis that,
in comparison with caregivers handling manual wheelchairs equipped with
conventional rear anti-tip devices (C-RADs), those using a new design (Arc-RADs)
perform relevant wheelchair skills better and as safely.
DESIGN: Randomized
controlled trial. SETTING: Rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: Caregivers
(n=16)
and the wheelchair users (n=16) for whom they cared. INTERVENTION: Participants
were trained in wheelchair-handling skills for an average of 54 minutes each.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total percentage score on a set of 20 rear anti-tip
device- and caregiver-relevant skills from the Wheelchair Skills Test, version
3.2, administered a minimum of 3 days after training. RESULTS: For the C-RAD and
Arc-RAD groups, the mean +/- SD Wheelchair Skills Test scores were 40%+/-0% and
98.8%+/-3.5%, respectively (P<.001). Skills that required the wheelchair to be
tipped back extensively (eg, for ascending a 15cm curb) accounted for the
differences between the groups. There were no adverse effects in either group.
CONCLUSIONS: The Arc-RAD design allows significantly better caregiver
wheelchair-handling skills than the conventional design, without compromising safety.

Langue : ANGLAIS