Abstract: Background:Electrically powered wheelchairs (EPW) enable individuals who are not capable of walking or propelling a manual wheelchair to have independent mobility. Control devices enable users to direct the EPW to move at the desired speed and direction. Objective:To review and appraise the current use of EPW control devices to assist clinicians when selecting the most appropriate device for the needs of individual users. Methods:Two databases were searched returning 273 unique articles for review. The prescription forms of the 20 EPWs available on the Scottish NHS contract were reviewed to determine availability. Results:Based on four studies, the most prevalent devices were hand joystick, sip and puff and chin joystick (84%, 8% and 8% respectively). However, terminology was inconsistent, hampering comparison, and population groups non-representative. The appraisal of prescriptions forms found hand joysticks to be the standard option. Sip and puff and chin joysticks were available on 15% and 35% of EPW models respectively. Conclusions:The standard, hand joystick (position sensing and proportional) meets the control device needs of the vast majority of current EPW users. Further studies are required to quantify the needs of those unable to use the control devices that are currently available.
Keywords: Electrical powered wheelchair, control device, powered mobility, hand joystick, chin joystick, sip and puff control
