Use of a new power wheelchair for a child with spinal muscular atrophy

Abstract

The molded-type bucket seating system is often prescribed for serious handicapped children in Japan. A portion of the bucket seat can be attached to or removed from various frames easily. However, there has been no frame for an electric wheelchair until now. Therefore, we made frames for an electric wheelchair for practice, in order to promote the wide use of electric wheelchairs. The first case involves a patient who was found to have spinal muscular atrophy at the age of 1 year. Since the age of 2 years, he had been moving by using a manual attendant-controlled wheelchair with the molded-type bucket seating system, and he learned to move by himself as he grew older. We made two frames (small and big) for an electric wheelchair as an object for practice in which molded-type bucket seats can be carried. As he mastered electric wheelchair operation by using the frame for practice, he passed the driving test and acquired his very own electric wheelchair. He can now go to a desired place by himself, and his sphere of activity has widened. For physically handicapped children with a good intellectual level, early introduction of an electric wheelchair is desirable. The introduction of frames for practice contributes to the wide use of electric wheelchairs.