Objective: To test the safe and effective use of a new mobility device, the Independence IBOT 3000 Mobility System, by people with a disability.
Design: A prospective, balanced, open-label evaluation that used participants as their own controls.
Setting: Home and community environments.
Participants: Twenty subjects who use a mobility device.
Interventions: Subjects used the test device for up to 2 weeks in their home and community environments.
Main outcome measure: Safety was determined by comparing the number of reported adverse events, including falls, in the test device compared with their own device. Effectiveness was measured by comparing scores from the Community Drive Test in the test device versus their own chair.
Results: No adverse event requiring medical attention was reported for either device and a similar number of device falls were reported for each device. The scored driving test results found that the test device was shown to statistically improve (P <.001) the subjects independent functional mobility skills in a community environment. Ten of 20 subjects were able climb stairs independently; the remaining 10 subjects were able to climb stairs with the assistance of only 1 person.
Conclusions: People who are properly assessed, and participate and successfully complete the training, will benefit through increased independence in community mobility activities.