A novel wheelchair wheel rolling resistance clinical decision support system: stakeholders report high usability, perceived usefulness and value.

PURPOSE: The force required to propel a manual wheelchair can lead to repetitive strain injuries that reduce participation and quality of life. This force is primarily due to tire rolling resistance (RR), the energy loss from the tires in contact with the surface. A clinical decision support system (RightWheel) was developed to provide user-specific RR predictions to help select rear wheel and caster equipment. The objectives were to evaluate usability and perceived usefulness of RightWheel and obtain clinician feedback during an eight-week pilot launch study.

METHODS

Clinicians were trained, completed usability and perceived usefulness surveys, and bi-weekly surveys reporting RightWheel use, problems encountered, and clients who benefitted. An online interview was completed at the end of the study.

RESULTS

RightWheel was used by seven Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) certified occupational or physical therapists with 33 clients. Usability and usefulness exceeded "acceptable" (System Usability Scale (SUS)=87.5, modified Questionnaire for User Interface Satisfaction (QUIS)=8.2, Technology Acceptance Questionnaire (TAQ)=4.6), and the tool became easier to use over time (modified QUIS p<.001, TAQ p=.005). Clinicians found RightWheel supported their recommendations and was helpful for client decision making. Clinicians used RightWheel to educate clients, train clinicians, and understand RR. All clinicians said they would recommend RightWheel to other colleagues, and the majority anticipated they would use RightWheel on a weekly basis.

CONCLUSIONS

RightWheel provided clients a way to visualise information that helped them make informed decisions. Clinicians thought the primary uses are communicating with clients, training, and understanding RR. Most manual wheelchair clients may benefit.