Customised joystick-making and training service of power wheelchair using rapid prototyping in rehabilitation centre for people with cervical spinal cord injury: findings from two case studies.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical applicability of a customised power wheelchair joystick using rapid prototyping with 3D modeling and printing technology within a rehabilitation centre for patients with cervical spinal cord injury.

Materials and methods: Two male participants with tetraplegia following cervical-level spinal cord injury who had difficulty operating a powered wheelchair were recruited. The procedure of the joystick-making and training service consists of four steps: (1) driving evaluation; (2) digital fabrication; (3) functional test; and (4) driving training. K-QUEST 2.0 (Korean-Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction version 2.0) was used to measure the usability of the off-the-shelf and customised joystick.

Results: During the application process, several redesign stages were required to obtain the final customised joystick. After participants attended a 30-min driving training five times per week for 8 weeks, the usability of the customised joystick was higher than that of the off-the-shelf one.

Conclusion: Providing the customised joystick-making and training service can be used in hospitalised rehabilitation centre before the hospital discharge of patients and returns to their everyday lives.