Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

MiGo-Wheels: A comprehensive feedback system to help wheelchair users maintain a healthy lifestyle

Award Number: R43AG064990
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2022

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

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.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2023	2020	FLINT REHABILITATION DEVICES, LLC	18023 SKY PARK CIR STE H2	IRVINE	CA	92614	ORANGE	USA	Aging Research	000	1	4/21/2023	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $225,000 )
2020	2020	FLINT REHABILITATION DEVICES, LLC	18023 SKY PARK CIR STE H2	IRVINE	CA	92614	ORANGE	USA	Aging Research	000	1	4/24/2020	NEW	$225,000
														Subtotal = $225,000

Grand Total All Awards = $225,000

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

MiGo-Wheels: A comprehensive feedback system to help wheelchair users maintain a healthy lifestyle

Award Number: R43AG064990

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2022

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer