Increases in Wheelchair Breakdowns, Repairs, and Adverse Consequences for People with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Am J Phys Med Rehabil., 2012 · DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0b013e31825ab5ec · Published: June 1, 2012

Spinal Cord Injury Assistive Technology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Wheelchair breakdowns can lead to various adverse outcomes, from minor inconveniences to safety risks. This study investigates the incidence of wheelchair breakdowns, repairs, and their consequences for individuals with spinal cord injury. The study compares current data with historical data, revealing significant increases in reported repairs and adverse consequences. This suggests a potential decline in wheelchair quality and reliability over time. The research also examines factors like wheelchair type, seating functions, funding sources, and race, identifying disparities in breakdown rates and consequences. These findings underscore the need for improved policies, standards, and user education to address this growing issue.

Study Duration

5 Years

Participants

723 participants with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Significant increases were found in the number of participants reporting repairs and adverse consequences in a 6-month period compared with historical data.
2
Minorities experienced a greater frequency and higher number of reported consequences.
3
Power wheelchair users reported a higher number of repairs and consequences than did manual wheelchair users.

Research Summary

This study reports the incidence of wheelchair repairs, breakdowns, and consequences in a population of wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) and compares current findings with historical data. The study found a significant increase in the number of repairs and consequences, with 52.6% of full-time wheelchair users experiencing at least one wheelchair repair in the past 6 months and 32.2% of those individuals experiencing at least one consequence because of wheelchair breakdown. The increase in required repairs and consequences may be associated with a decrease in wheelchair quality because of changes in insurance reimbursement policy and lack of standards enforcement.

Practical Implications

Policy Reevaluation

Current policies and standards testing for wheelchair prescription in the United States should be reevaluated and revised.

Targeted Prescription

Future studies should look at the manufacturer and model of wheelchairs to see whether differences can be identified which allow for targeted prescription of higher quality wheelchairs.

User Education

Future studies also need to educate wheelchair users on maintenance, such as replacing cushions, caster wheels, and batteries at given time points to help prevent wheelchair breakdown.

Study Limitations

1
Change in SCIMS centers involved in the current data set.
2
The studies provide only two data points, caution must be used when interpreting a trend.
3
We did not ask participants about the number of consequences reported.

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