This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Gebrosky B, Pearlman J, Cooper RA, Cooper R, Kelleher A. Evaluation of lightweight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA testing standards. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013;50(10):1373–90. Slideshow Project DOI: /JRRD JSP Evaluation of lightweight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA testing standards Benjamin Gebrosky, BS; Jonathan Pearlman, PhD; Rory A. Cooper, PhD; Rosemarie Cooper, MPT, ATP; Annmarie Kelleher, MS, OTR/L, ATP
This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Gebrosky B, Pearlman J, Cooper RA, Cooper R, Kelleher A. Evaluation of lightweight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA testing standards. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013;50(10):1373–90. Slideshow Project DOI: /JRRD JSP Aim – Evaluate folding lightweight wheelchair models using American National Standards Institute/Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America (ANSI/RESNA) standards. Relevance – While design and manufacturing advances plus consistent ANSI/RESNA standards should have led to higher quality, better durability, and cost-benefit, wheelchair failures have been increasingly reported over last 15 yr.
This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Gebrosky B, Pearlman J, Cooper RA, Cooper R, Kelleher A. Evaluation of lightweight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA testing standards. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013;50(10):1373–90. Slideshow Project DOI: /JRRD JSP Method Tested 3 lightweight wheelchairs: – (a) Sunrise Medical Breezy 600. – (b) Invacare 9000XT. – (c) Invacare Patriot Plus. Performed 6 ANSI/RESNA Tests: – Static stability. – Effectiveness of brakes. – Dimensions, mass, and maneuvering space. – Measurement of seating and wheel dimensions. – Static, impact, and fatigue strengths. – Information disclosure, documentation, labeling.
This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Gebrosky B, Pearlman J, Cooper RA, Cooper R, Kelleher A. Evaluation of lightweight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA testing standards. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013;50(10):1373–90. Slideshow Project DOI: /JRRD JSP Results We hypothesized that quality of lightweight wheelchairs had declined. – 7 of 9 wheelchairs tested failed multidrum test durability requirements. – Average of 194,502 equivalent cycles was completed. Similar to previous test results. Far below 400,000 minimum ANSI/RESNA requirement. Significantly worse than test results for aluminum ultralight folding wheelchairs.
This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Gebrosky B, Pearlman J, Cooper RA, Cooper R, Kelleher A. Evaluation of lightweight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA testing standards. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013;50(10):1373–90. Slideshow Project DOI: /JRRD JSP Conclusion Results uncovered some disturbing issues with lightweight wheelchairs. Recommendations to improve durability: – Require wheelchairs to be tested by independent and certified test laboratories. – Implement wheelchair rating system based on National Highway Transportation Safety Administration 5-star vehicle crash ratings. Would help clinicians and end users compare durability of different wheelchairs.