Dolan Michael John, Henderson Graham Iain
a Southeast Mobility and Rehabilitation Technology Centre, NHS Lothian, Astley Ainslie Hospital , Edinburgh , UK.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2017 Aug;12(6):618-624. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2016.1201154. Epub 2016 Jul 19.
To determine the prevalence of control devices for electrically powered wheelchairs (EPWs), related characteristic features and users' views on their utility.
Postal survey of users of a regional NHS wheelchair service using a purpose-designed questionnaire (n = 262, ≥18 years old).
Mean age 54.4 years, female 56.8%, mean duration EPW use 10.1 years, mean usage 6.7 days per week and 9.2 h per day. Largest diagnostic groups: Multiple Sclerosis 28.3%, Cerebral Palsy 13.8% and Spinal Cord Injury 11.7%. Control device types 94.6% hand joystick, 2.3% chin joystick, 2.7% switches and 0.4% foot control. 42.4% reported fatigue or tiredness and 38.8% pain or discomfort limited EPW use. 28.0% reported an accident or mishap.
This is the first study of control devices on a large, general population of EPW users. The majority have control devices that meet their needs, with high levels of user satisfaction, though some might benefit from adjustments or modifications to their current provision and others might benefit by changing to a different type of control device. High proportions reported fatigue or tiredness and pain or discomfort limit their EPW use. The study provides indicators for prescribers and manufacturers of control devices for EPWs. Implications for Rehabilitation Most users have control devices that meet their needs, with high levels of satisfaction, but some would benefit from adjustments or modifications or a change of type. A high proportion reported fatigue or tiredness and pain or discomfort limit their use of their EPW and prescribers need to be mindful of these issues when determining the most suitable type of control device and where it should be positioned. The vast majority of users have a hand joystick as a control device with alternative control devices (such as chin joysticks and switches) being far less prevalent. Adverse incidents may arise due to difficulty with manoeuvring or accidental activation of the hand joystick that can lead to collisions and even entrapment.
确定电动轮椅（EPW）控制装置的普及率、相关特征以及用户对其效用的看法。
使用专门设计的问卷对地区国民健康服务（NHS）轮椅服务的用户进行邮寄调查（n = 262，年龄≥18岁）。
平均年龄54.4岁，女性占56.8%，平均使用EPW时长10.1年，平均每周使用6.7天，每天使用9.2小时。最大诊断组：多发性硬化症占28.3%，脑瘫占13.8%，脊髓损伤占11.7%。控制装置类型：94.6%为手控操纵杆，2.3%为颏控操纵杆，2.7%为开关，0.4%为脚控装置。42.4%的人报告有疲劳或疲倦感，38.8%的人报告疼痛或不适限制了EPW的使用。28.0%的人报告发生过事故或意外。
这是对大量普通EPW用户群体控制装置的首次研究。大多数人拥有满足其需求的控制装置，用户满意度较高，不过有些人可能会从对其现有配置的调整或修改中受益，而另一些人可能会从更换为不同类型的控制装置中受益。很大比例的人报告疲劳或疲倦以及疼痛或不适限制了他们使用EPW。该研究为EPW控制装置的开处方者和制造商提供了指标。对康复的启示大多数用户拥有满足其需求的控制装置，满意度较高，但有些人会从调整、修改或更换类型中受益。很大比例的人报告疲劳或疲倦以及疼痛或不适限制了他们使用EPW，开处方者在确定最合适的控制装置类型及其放置位置时需要留意这些问题。绝大多数用户使用手控操纵杆作为控制装置，其他控制装置（如颏控操纵杆和开关）的普及率要低得多。由于操纵困难或手控操纵杆意外启动可能会导致碰撞甚至被困，从而引发不良事件。
