Manual Wheelchair-Handling Skills by Caregivers Using New and Conventional Rear Anti-Tip Devices: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Kirby RL, Walker R, Smith C, Best K, MacLeod DA, Thompson K. Manual wheelchair-handling skills by caregivers using new and conventional rear anti-tip devices: a randomized controlled trial. Objective To test the hypothesis that, in comparison with caregivers handling manual wheelchairs equipped with conventional rear anti-tip devices (C-RADs), those using a new design (Arc-RADs) perform relevant wheelchair skills better and as safely. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Rehabilitation center. Participants Caregivers (n=16) and the wheelchair users (n=16) for whom they cared. Intervention Participants were trained in wheelchair-handling skills for an average of 54 minutes each. Main Outcome Measures Total percentage score on a set of 20 rear anti-tip device- and caregiver-relevant skills from the Wheelchair Skills Test, version 3.2, administered a minimum of 3 days after training. Results For the C-RAD and Arc-RAD groups, the mean ± SD Wheelchair Skills Test scores were 40%±0% and 98.8%±3.5%, respectively ( P Conclusions The Arc-RAD design allows significantly better caregiver wheelchair-handling skills than the conventional design, without compromising safety.