IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2020 Nov;28(11):2497-2506. doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2020.3028327. Epub 2020 Nov 6.
Novel technologies such as the Nino® two-wheeled powered mobility device are promoted as offering an intuitive improved experience compared to conventional wheelchair mobility use. The Nino® has a smaller footprint than a power wheelchair, a zero-degree turning radius, tiller-based steering, and relies on the user leaning forwards and back to move and brake. This study aimed to evaluate manual wheelchair users' ability to use the Nino® to complete a variety of wheelchair skills, and also investigated task demand, user confidence, and user perceptions. Twelve participants with a mean of 22 years of experience using a wheelchair completed the study; most had spinal cord injuries and one had multiple sclerosis. Our findings indicate that Wheelchair Skills Test scores were significantly higher for individuals in their manual wheelchair than in the Nino®. Results from the Wheelchair Use Confidence Scale showed that confidence scores increased significantly after completing Nino® training, and that participants were significantly more confident using their manual chair than the Nino®. Cognitive workload, as measured by the NASA-Task Load Index, was significantly higher in the Nino® than in participants' manual wheelchairs. Findings from qualitative interviews suggest that the Nino® is unlikely to be suitable as a functional replacement of an individual's manual wheelchair. Most participants felt unsafe during braking. Other perceptions included that the Nino may be a good alternative for use as a recreational outdoor mobility device, a powered mobility option to help prevent upper extremity overuse injuries, have a positive impact on social interactions, but that a high degree of focus was required during use. In addition to needing to address safety, usability, and functional concerns, the data suggests a clinical focus on training individuals to use these new devices may be necessary for effective community use.
新型技术,如 Nino®两轮动力移动设备,相较于传统轮椅移动使用,被宣传为提供更直观的改进体验。Nino®比电动轮椅占地面积小,转弯半径为零,采用操纵杆转向,并依靠用户前后倾斜来移动和刹车。本研究旨在评估手动轮椅使用者使用 Nino®完成各种轮椅技能的能力,同时还研究了任务需求、用户信心和用户感知。12 名参与者平均使用轮椅 22 年,其中大多数患有脊髓损伤,1 名患有多发性硬化症。我们的研究结果表明,个体在使用手动轮椅时的轮椅技能测试得分明显高于在 Nino®上的得分。轮椅使用信心量表的结果表明,在完成 Nino®培训后,信心得分显著增加,并且参与者使用手动轮椅的信心明显高于 Nino®。由 NASA 任务负荷指数测量的认知工作量在 Nino®上明显高于参与者的手动轮椅。定性访谈的结果表明,Nino®不太可能成为个人手动轮椅的功能性替代品。大多数参与者在刹车时感到不安全。其他看法包括,Nino 可能是一种用于户外娱乐移动设备的良好替代品,是一种预防上肢过度使用损伤的动力移动选项,对社交互动有积极影响,但使用时需要高度集中注意力。除了需要解决安全、可用性和功能问题外,数据还表明,临床重点培训个人使用这些新设备可能是在社区有效使用这些设备的必要条件。