Effectiveness of a Self-Propelled Wheeled Sit-to-Stand Chair on Exercise Capacity and Healthful Living Behaviors among Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities
Keywords:
Assistive technology, sit-to-stand chair, older adults, persons with disabilities, physical exerciseAbstract
This study evaluated the effectiveness of a self-propelled wheeled sit-to-stand chair in enhancing physical exercise capacity and healthful living behaviors among older adults and persons with disabilities. A quasi-experimental design was applied with 24 participants, divided equally into an experimental group (n = 12) and a comparison group (n = 12). Data were collected using standardized questionnaires were used to assess physical exercise capacity and healthful living behaviors, with reliability coefficients measured by Cronbach’s alpha of .821 and .859, respectively. The prototype of the adjustable standing wheelchair innovation was evaluated by three experts. Data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and ANOVA with repeated measure. Results revealed that the experimental group showed significant improvement in physical exercise capacity from pre- to post-intervention (p < .001), which was sustained at the 3-week follow-up (p < .001). At follow-up, the experimental group also had significantly higher scores in both physical exercise capacity and healthful living behaviors compared to the comparison group (p < .001). Conclusion: The self-propelled wheeled sit-to-stand chair effectively enhanced exercise capacity and promoted healthier living behaviors among older adults and persons with disabilities. This innovation demonstrates potential as an assistive technology to improve mobility and support active, healthful living in populations with movement limitations.
Downloads
References
Bull, F. C., Al-Ansari, S. S., Biddle, S., Borodulin, K., Buman, M. P., Cardon, G., Carty, C., Chaput, J. P., Chastin, S., Chou, R., Dempsey, P. C., DiPietro, L., Ekelund, U., Firth, J., Friedenreich, C. M., Garcia, L., Gichu, M., Jago, R., Katzmarzyk, P. T., Lambert, E., … Willumsen, J. F. (2020). World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54(24), 1451–1462. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-102955
Chelvan, S. K., & Chinduja, S. (2019, June 12). Manual wheelchair user’s perspectives. Journal of the Gujarat Research Society, 21(1), 47–49. https://ssrn.com/abstract=3455995
Cochran, W.G. (1963) Sampling technique (2nd ed.). John Wiley and Sons.
Daoust, G., Rushton, P. W., Racine, M., Leduc, K., Assila, N., & Demers, L. (2021). Adapting the wheelchair skills program for pediatric rehabilitation: Recommendations from key stakeholders. BMC Pediatrics, 21(1), 103. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-02564-9
Department of Older Persons (2023). Guideline for the care and protection system of the rights of older persons in local areas. https://www.dop.go.th/download/knowledge/th1561080125-196_0.pdf [in Thai]
Dicianno, B. E., Morgan, A., Lieberman, J., & Rosen, L. (2013). RESNA position on the application of wheelchair standing devices: 2013 current state of the literature. Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology. https://www.resna.org/Portals/0/Documents/Position%20Papers/
RESNAStandingPositionPaper_Dec2013.pdf
Ferreira, L. K., Meireles, J. F. F., & Ferreira, M. E. C. (2018). Evaluation of lifestyle and quality of life in the elderly: A literature review. Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia, 21(5), 616–627. https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562018021.180028
García, P. T., Groba González, B., Nieto Rivero, L., Pereira Loureiro, J., Díez Villoria, E., & Pazos Sierra, A. (2015). Exploring the psychosocial impact of wheelchair and contextual factors on quality of life of people with neuromuscular disorders. Assistive Technology: The Official Journal of RESNA, 27(4), 246–256. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2015.1045996
Gómez, L. E., Schalock, R. L., & Verdugo, M. Á. (2021). A quality of life supports model: Six research-focused steps to evaluate the model and enhance research practices in the field of IDD. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 119, 104112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2021.104112
Jaijumnong, S., Kaeodumkoeng, K., Therawiwat, M., & Wattanasomboon, P. (2019). Effectiveness of a self-efficacy enhancement program on using wheelchair of patients with spinal cord injury. Journal of Health Education, 42(2), 123–135.
https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/muhed/article/view/225752 [in Thai]
Jaijumnong, S., Intarakamhang, U., & Boonpratatong, A. (2023). Physical activity, healthy lifestyle behaviors and design conditions on the innovative wheelchair: Case study of elderly and physical persons with disabilities. The Periodical of Behavioral Science, 29(2), 36–55 https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/BSRI/article/view/261951 [in Thai]
Kirby, R. L., Worobey, L. A., Cowan, R., Pedersen, J. P., Heinemann, A. W., Dyson-Hudson, T. A., Shea, M., Smith, C., Rushton, P. W., & Boninger, M. L. (2016). Wheelchair skills capacity and performance of manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 97(10), 1761–1769. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2016.05.015
Marchiori, C., Bensmail, D., Gagnon, D., & Pradon, D. (2015). Manual wheelchair satisfaction among
long-term users and caregivers: A French study. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 52(2), 181–192. https://doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2014.04.0092
Morgan, K. A., Engsberg, J. R., & Gray, D. B. (2017). Important wheelchair skills for new manual wheelchair
users: Health care professional and wheelchair user perspectives. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 12(1), 28–38. https://doi.org/10.3109/17483107.2015.1063015
Rawat, A., Bhatia, A., & Singh, A. (2021, October 7-8). Gesture controlled stand-up wheelchair with enhanced traits. The 2021 4th international conference on recent developments in control, automation & power engineering (pp. 468–473), Noida, India. IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/RDCAPE52977.2021.9633744
Routhier, F., Kirby, R. L., Demers, L., Depa, M., & Thompson, K. (2012). Efficacy and retention of the French-Canadian version of the wheelchair skills training program for manual wheelchair users: A randomized controlled trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 93(6), 940–948. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2012.01.017
Ryu, J., Son, J., Jo, M., Choi, E., Ahn, S., Kim, S., & Kim, Y. (2017). Optimal seat and footrest positions of manual standing wheelchair. International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing, 18, 879–885. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12541-017-0104-6
Sarda, V., Dash, S. S., Varma, D. S. M., Shaikh-Mohammed, J., & Sujatha, S. (2021). Design of a low-cost, reconfigurable, standing wheelchair with easy and stable sit-stand-sit transition capability. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 18(7), 1056–1065. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2021.1978564
Shaikh-Mohammed, J., Dash, S. S., Sarda, V., & Sujatha, S. (2023). Design journey of an affordable manual standing wheelchair. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 18(5), 553–563. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2021.1892839
van der Woude, L. H. V., Houdijk, H. J. P., Janssen, T. W. J., Seves, B., Schelhaas, R., Plaggenmarsch, C., Mouton, L. J., Dekker, R., van Keeken, H., de Groot, S., & Vegter, R. J. K. (2021). Rehabilitation: Mobility, exercise & sports; a critical position stand on current and future research perspectives. Disability and Rehabilitation, 43(24), 3476–3491. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1806365
Vongpakorn, P., & Kovindha, A. (2014). Employment rate of Thais with spinal cord injury and predictive factors. Journal of Thai Rehabilitation Medicine, 24(1), 28–36. https://www.rehabmed.or.th/main/paperjournal/ปัจจัยบ่งชี้และอัตรากาe/ [in Thai]
World Health Organization. (2012). Wheelchair service training package: Reference manual for participants (Basic level). https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/78236
World Health Organization. (1999). Healthy living. https://iris.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/f343e048-d695-43ab-8f4e-2d8be2c20ac6/content
World Health Organization. (2020). WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240015128
Worobey, L. A., McKernan, G., Toro, M., Pearlman, J., Cowan, R. E., Heinemann, A. W., Dyson-Hudson, T. A., Pedersen, J. P., Mesoros, M., & Boninger, M. L. (2022). Effectiveness of group wheelchair maintenance training for people with spinal cord injury: A randomized controlled trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 103(4), 790–797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2021.02.031
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 The Periodical of Behavioral Science
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Behavioral Science Research Institute, SWU
114 Sukhumvit 23, Bangkok 10110, Thailand.
Tel.02-649-5000 # 17600
