MiGo-Wheels: A comprehensive feedback system to help wheelchair users maintain a healthy lifestyle - Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be difficult for the estimated 2 million people in the United States
who rely on manual wheelchairs for mobility and independence. Although the specific health challenges
for every wheelchair user depend on the nature of their injury or impairment, some of the most common
issues are: 1) complications due to reduced physical activity, 2) complications due to repetitive stress
injuries, 3) complications arising from limited acquisition of wheelchair skills, and 4) complications due to
wheelchair component failure or deterioration. Many of these complications can be managed through
lifestyle adaptation and the formation of healthy habits. However, these complications are often tightly
coupled, requiring users to form healthy habits in multiple dimensions in order to manage them over the
long term. Technology could help wheelchair users form robust habits to stay physically active, avoid
stress injuries, develop their wheelchair skills, and maintain their wheelchair, but no commercial product
currently exists that addresses these interconnected health challenges. We propose in this Phase I SBIR
to develop and pilot test a comprehensive wellness system for wheelchair users. MiGo-Wheels will
provide users with activity goals, promote healthy propulsion habits, and reward wheelchair skill
development. Finally, to maintain optimal wheelchair performance, it will detect and alert the user to
potential wheelchair performance issues, similar to a check engine light in a car. MiGo-Wheels will consist
of a wireless network of three devices: 1) a wrist-worn activity watch that will detect pushes, measure
spatiotemporal push characteristics, and deliver visual feedback, 2) a wheelchair mounted sensor that will
measure the wheelchair’s heading, tilt angle, and acceleration, and 3) a wheel-mounted sensor that will
measure angular velocity of the wheelchair’s wheel. MiGo-Wheels will also include a smartphone app
(developed in Phase II) to allow users to view performance trends over time, receive additional feedback
and notifications, connect with other wheelchair users, and control device settings. Our hypothesis is that
this comprehensive approach will enable wheelchair users to manage their health challenges in an
integrated and sustainable manner, thus reducing the incidence of the broad range of negative health
effects associated with wheelchair use. Feasibility testing will be performed in collaboration with the
Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center. Aim 1: Develop prototype wheelchair and wheel-mounted
sensor units (Months 1-3). Aim 2: Develop algorithms for monitoring a comprehensive set of wheelchair
activity and maintenance data (Months 2-4). Aim 3: Perform in-lab pilot study (N=20 wheelchair users) to
validate the feasibility of MiGo-Wheels (Months 5-6). If this project is successful, it will be the first step in
developing a valuable new tool for helping wheelchair users improve their overall health.
