Evaluation of selected ultralight manual wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA standards

Objectives: To provide data for clinicians and wheelchair users to compare the durability, strength, stability, and cost effectiveness of four differe nt ultralight wheelchair models, and to compare the results of this study w ith those published for lightweight wheelchairs. Design: Standards testing and cost-effectiveness analysis of four wheelchai r models from different manufacturers (12 wheelchairs total). Results: There were significant differences (p less than or equal to .05) i n the fatigue life and value (equivalent cycles per dollar) among the ultra light wheelchairs tested. There was also a significant difference (p less t han or equal to.05) in rearward stability tilt angle for the least and most stable configurations. There were no differences in forward and lateral st ability. The ultralight wheelchairs (1,009,108 cycles) had significantly (p less than or equal to .05) higher fatigue lives than previously reported f or lightweight wheelchairs (187,370 cycles). The lightweight wheelchairs ha d a mean value of 210 cycles per dollar compared to 673 cycles per dollar f or the ultralight wheelchairs. The difference in value for the lightweight and ultralight wheelchairs was statistically significant (p less than or eq ual to .05). Conclusion: There were differences in the fatigue life and value among the four models of ultralight manual wheelchairs tested. This indicates that ul tralight manual wheelchairs are not all of equal quality. The fatigue life and value of the ultralight manual wheelchairs were significantly higher th an those previously reported far lightweight manual wheelchairs. This indic ates that ultralight wheelchairs may be of higher quality than lightweight manual wheelchairs. Clinicians and consumers should seriously consider sele cting an ultralight manual wheelchair to meet their wheelchair mobility nee ds. (C) 1999 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Americ an Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.