Wheelchair satisfaction and recommended improvements of manual wheelchairs in the UK.

Abstract

Purpose of the article: The aim of this study was to determine user satisfaction with manual wheelchairs in the United Kingdom and to determine areas that could be improved to help drive future design and development.

Materials and methods: Manual wheelchair users, aged 18-65 years old living in the United Kingdom, were invited, to complete an online cross-sectional questionnaire. The link to the questionnaire was distributed using a range of methods to charities, organisations and wheelchair user groups via invitation by email and social media. Responses were gathered from 122 respondents and analysed using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation and content analysis.

Results: Respondents felt comfort (39.3%), weight (35.4%), manoeuvrability (34.3%) and durability (30.7%) were the most important features of a wheelchair. Seventy percent of respondents that were "not at all satisfied" with their current wheelchair were fitted by the National Health Service (NHS, X² = 42.39, p < 0.001). Ninety percent of respondents who were "not at all satisfied" with their current wheelchair experienced issues with comfort (X² = 17.82, p = 0.001). Sixty percent who were "not satisfied at all" with their wheelchair had not chosen their wheelchair (X² = 25.15, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Wheelchair satisfaction was largely determined by comfort, location of the users' wheelchair fitting (for example the NHS) and users choosing their own wheelchair. Future wheelchair designs should utilise a user centred and inclusive design approach to cater for a wider range of individual needs and requirements.