Evaluation of a Stair-Climbing Power Wheelchair in 25 People With Tetraplegia

Objective: To compare the performance of a power wheelchair with stair-climbing capability (TopChair) and a conventional power wheelchair (Storm3). Design: A single-center, open-label study. Setting: A physical medicine and rehabilitation hospital. Participants: Patients (N=25) who required power wheelchairs because of severe impairments affecting the upper and lower limbs. Interventions: Indoor and outdoor driving trials with both devices. Curb-clearing and stair-climbing with TopChair. Main Outcome Measures: Trial duration and Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST) tool; number of failures during driving trials and ability to climb curbs and stairs. Results: All 25 participants successfully completed the outdoor and indoor trials with both wheelchairs. Although differences in times to trial completion were statistically significant, they were less than 10%. QUEST scores were significantly better with the Storm3 than the TopChair for weight (P=.001), dimension (P=.006), and effectiveness (P=.04). Of the 25 participants, 23 cleared a 20-cm curb without help, and 20 climbed up and down 6 steps. Most participants felt these specific capabilities of the TopChair-for example, curb clearing and stair climbing-were easy to use (22/25 for curb, 21/25 for stairs) and helpful (24/25 and 23/25). A few participants felt insecure (4/25 and 6/25, respectively). Conclusions: The TopChair is a promising mobility device that enables stair and curb climbing and warrants further study.