Long-term community integration study of an affordable manual standing wheelchair.

Purpose: The manual, user-operated Arise Standing Wheelchair (SWC) is the end result of multiple design iterations based on findings and feedback from user trials. The Arise SWC provides standing functionality, outdoor mobility, affordability, and customisability. This paper describes a long-term community integration study of the Arise SWC. Methods: All participants (N = 8; 7 Male, 1 Female) were persons with spinal cord injuries. During the study period (six months), the participants integrated the Arise SWC into their daily routines. To assess the impact of the Arise SWC on various outcome measures, participants' responses were captured using a Likert-scale questionnaire at the beginning of the study, after 30 days, and after 180 days of Arise SWC usage. Results: The long-term usage of the Arise SWC positively impacted the users' standing performance (ability to stand regularly, stand at different locations, and stand in community settings), productive ability (accessibility to environmental controls and ability to perform overhead reaches), and pathophysiology (spasticity and ability to get proper sleep). Furthermore, all the users were able to independently move using the Arise SWC over even and uneven terrain (some needed minimal assistance over uneven terrain). Conclusions: Overall, we believe that Arise SWC will benefit eligible users and improve their ability and performance in daily activities. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Arise Standing Wheelchair (SWC) positively impacted users' standing performance, mobility over uneven terrain, ability to transfer between surfaces, and overhead reaches. Arise SWC positively impacted users' overall physical well-being. The study shows that Arise SWC improved the users' overall daily living activities. Arise SWC, an affordable solution, is anticipated to have a global impact, especially on low-income nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]