Guidelines for the Use of Wheelchair Postural Support Devices during Travel in Motor Vehicles

This article presents guidelines for the use of wheelchair postural support devices (PSDs) that are used during travel in motor vehicles. The authors note that current crash-test dummies are not designed to evaluate postural supports, and there are little to no injury data for these devices in the motor-vehicle environment. The authors use basic principles of occupant protection and knowledge about injury biomechanics to develop guidelines and best practices. After a section of general guidelines, the article presents specific guidelines for pelvic positioning belts, anterior trunk supports (chest harness, butterfly harness), posterior head supports (headrests), anterior head supports and neck supports, lap trays, subASIS bars (a pelvic stabilization device), lateral thoracic supports and lateral upper leg supports, and ankle/foot straps. The authors recommend additional attention be paid to the postural alignment of the occupant at the beginning and end of motor vehicle trips, to assess the need for additional PSDs to maintain alignment during travel. They caution against mistaking a pelvic positioning belt for a crashworthy pelvic belt, a common error.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.3233/PRM-2011-0182
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/18745393
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Special Issue: Transportation Safety for Children with Special Healthcare Needs.
• Authors:
  • Karg, Patricia
  • Cotzin, Bette
  • Manary, Miriam
  • Fuhrman, Susan I
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 251-257
• Serial:
  • Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine: An Interdisciplinary Approach
  • Volume: 4
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: IOS Press
  • ISSN: 1874-5393
  • EISSN: 1875-8894
  • Serial URL: http://www.iospress.nl/html/18745393.php

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Child restraint systems; Children; Crash injuries; Crashes; Highway safety; Posture; Private passenger vehicles; Restraint systems; Safety education; Wheelchairs
• Subject Areas: Highways; Passenger Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I84: Personal Injuries; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01499364
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 21 2013 9:20AM