Clinicians' and Researchers' Perspectives on Manual Wheelchair Data Loggers.

Recent studies have used data loggers to record a wide range of, sometimes differing, objective outcomes associated with the use of manual wheelchairs. To identify which outcomes are broadly perceived to be the most important to measure when objectively documenting manual wheelchair use, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with groups of researchers and clinicians in the field of wheeled mobility. We also surveyed the challenges these groups experienced when using data loggers. The survey was informed by a previous scoping review of the scientific and gray literature. Seventy-four people with various academic and professional backgrounds completed the survey: 57 researchers (77.0%) and 17 clinicians (23.0%). Regarding the importance they attributed to commonly measured outcomes, the most highly rated outcome identified by both groups was "distance traveled." There were significant differences between the groups' perspectives in rating and ranking the importance of "pressure-relief activities," "seat pressure," and "acceleration." In terms of challenges or barriers associated with the use of data loggers for monitoring manual wheelchair use, it appears that researchers and clinicians have relatively similar needs and preferences. However, only clinicians reported that the time they wanted to, or could, allocate to review recorded information was a potential hardship. Our hope is that these results will help further development and increase the functionality and applicability of data loggers for manual wheelchairs in research and clinical contexts.

Data Logger Technologies for Powered Wheelchairs: A Scoping Review.

In recent years, studies increasingly employed data loggers to record the objective behaviors of powered wheelchair users. Of the data logging work reported in the literature, the technologies used offer marked differences in characteristics. In order to identify and describe the extent of published research activity that relies on data logger technologies for powered wheelchairs, we performed a scoping review of the scientific and grey literature. This scoping review, complementary to a previous one related to manual wheelchairs, is part of a process aiming to help further the development and increase the functionality of data loggers with wheelchairs. Five databases were searched: Medline, Compendex, CINAHL, EMBASE, Google Scholar. Sixty papers were retained for analysis. The most frequently used technologies were all installed on the wheelchair: 19.0% were accelerometers, 14.6% were pressure sensors or switches, 13.9% were odometers, 10.9% were global positioning systems, 9.5% were tilt sensors, and 7.3% were force-sensing technologies. The most reported outcomes were pressure-relief activities (17.3%), distance traveled (9.3%), mobility events (8.9%), acceleration (8.5%), and sitting time (6.9%). Future research may be needed to assess the usefulness of different outcomes and to develop methods more appropriate to optimize the practicality of wheelchair data loggers.

Data logger technologies for manual wheelchairs: A scoping review.

In recent years, studies have increasingly employed data logger technologies to record objective driving and physiological characteristics of manual wheelchair users. However, the technologies used offer significant differences in characteristics, such as measured outcomes, ease of use, and level of burden. In order to identify and describe the extent of published research activity that relies on data logger technologies for manual wheelchair users, we performed a scoping review of the scientific and gray literature. Five databases were searched: Medline, Compendex, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. The 119 retained papers document a wide variety of logging devices and sensing technologies measuring a range of outcomes. The most commonly used technologies were accelerometers installed on the user (18.8%), odometers installed on the wheelchair (12.4%), accelerometers installed on the wheelchair (9.7%), and heart monitors (9.7%). Not surprisingly, the most reported outcomes were distance, mobility events, heart rate, speed/velocity, acceleration, and driving time. With decreasing costs and technological improvements, data loggers are likely to have future widespread clinical (and even personal) use. Future research may be needed to assess the usefulness of different outcomes and to develop methods more appropriate to wheelchair users in order to optimize the practicality of wheelchair data loggers.