Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare wheelchair
driving performance in a driving simulator using a conventional joystick and an
isometric joystick. DESIGN: Randomized, cohort study. SETTING: A research
facility based in a hospital or in an independent living center. PARTICIPANTS:
Participants (N=20; 12 men, 8 women; mean age +/- SD, 30.62+/-10.91y) who were at
least 1 year post-TBI. INTERVENTIONS: Driving performance using an isometric
joystick compared with a conventional movement joystick. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Average trial completion time, and trajectory-specific measures measured
orthogonal to the center of driving tasks: root mean squared error, movement
offset, movement error, and number of significant changes in heading. RESULTS:
After statistically controlling for driving speed, participants were able to
complete the driving tasks faster with an isometric joystick than while using a
conventional movement joystick. Compared with the conventional joystick, an
isometric joystick used for driving forward demonstrated fewer driving errors.
During reverse driving the conventional joystick performed better. CONCLUSIONS:
The customizable isometric joystick seems to be a promising interface for driving
a powered wheelchair for individuals with TBI.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS