Use and Prescription of Powered Electronic Wheelchairs for Patients with Severe Acquired Brain Injury

A The purpose of this study is to evaluate the modifications of the patient s quality of life as well as their caregivers' following the Improvement of the patient s mobility due to a powered wheelchair use, this study has been carried out with 17 patients affected by severe Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Referring to assistive devices with a higher technology, the earners of severe ABI sequences are a particular users group, from the technical point of view of the rehabilitation team In fact, an appropriate prescription should take in consideration not only a reliable prognostic definition but above all a precise balanced evaluation of remaining cognitive abilities, taking in consideration also probable interferences of behavioural disorders In our study the multidisciplinary evaluation protocol provides for ca 15 hours work of both patient and caregiver assisted by a team of rehabilitation operators Results 15 out of 17 enrolled subjects have been deemed suitable for the device, due to improper behaviour during street training 2 out of 17 have been deemed non suitable for the device Conclusions since high-tech devices are expensive and above all potentially dangerous in case of improper use the necessary rigorous methodology imposes that the devices are tested by an experts team, capable of expressing all the skills necessary to a comprehensive analysis This analysis must contain quantifiable data that can be monitored during the years We believe that this evaluation protocol we have worked out, is an effective tool able to guarantee an appropriate prescription of a power wheelchair for the severe ABI patients