Evaluation of CIR-Whirlwind Wheelchair and service provision in Afghanistan

Purpose. The Center for International Rehabilitation (CIR) developed a wheelchair provision strategy that combines central fabrication with regional distribution and local service provision by trained practitioners. A field study was initiated in Kabul, Afghanistan to evaluate this plan.Method. The CIR-Whirlwind Wheelchair (study wheelchair) is an adult size, manual wheelchair designed to be adjustable to accommodate the individual user and durable to withstand rugged terrain. Manufactured in India, the study wheelchairs, with seat cushions, were packaged as kits and shipped to Afghanistan. Local practitioners in Kabul were trained on user assessment, fitting and training, and wheelchair assembly, maintenance and repair. One hundred subjects with previous experience of independently propelling a manual wheelchair participated in the study. This 4-month study entailed three subject visits for initial wheelchair fitting and training and then follow-up at 3 and 10 weeks. Subject training included wheelchair ...