DEVELOPMENT OF ADJUSTABLE WHEELCHAIR TRAINING STRUCTURE AND VALIDATION OF USEFULNESS FOR EVALUATION AND TRAINING OF MANUAL WHEELCHAIR SKILL

As the number of wheelchair users increases, safety accidents related to wheelchairs are increasing. Wheelchair training has been emphasized as a way to deal with this problem. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a wheelchair training structure as an adjustable type and verify its usefulness. Methods: In order to develop the wheelchair training structure as an adjustable type, idea meetings were held by related experts. The structure reflecting the ideas generated by the expert meetings was drawn through 3D modeling and it was produced by a commissioned woodwork shop. Then the final products including the adjustable curb and stairs were evaluated to verify their effectiveness and user satisfaction. Ten physical or occupational therapists rated satisfaction using the Korean-Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology, and four manual wheelchair users rated effectiveness using the wheelchair Skill Test-Questionnaire 5.0. And the evaluations were conducted twice before and after the 10 wheelchair training sessions each with 30 min duration. Results the result of satisfaction evaluation of the adjustable curbs and stairs by the 10 therapists showed that effectiveness was the highest, and the size and weight were the lowest. As for the effectiveness evaluation by the four manual wheelchair users, both the capacity and confidence of all subjects improved. Conclusion: This study confirmed that training using this type of wheelchair training construct will help wheelchair users improve the confidence and skills of using wheelchair which are essential for their safety and independent mobility. Therefore, if the adjustable curbs and stairs are to be used in the rehabilitation process of early manual wheelchair users, it is expected to contribute to the advancing their successful social return.