The Impact of Transfer Setup on the Performance of Independent Transfers: Phase I Final Report

Front grab bar protocol: From the initial setup, an adjustable height grab bar was placed in front of the platform which enabled an additional optional handheld to assist with transferring to/from the platform.  The horizontal distance between the center of the grab bar and the mid-center, front edge of the platform was 13.5”.  Two conditions in random order were tested: 1) front grab bar and no side guard and 2) both front grab bar and side guard present in the setup.  Subjects first performed a level height transfer in each condition and afterwards performed the variable height portion of the protocol as described previously (e.g. Adjustable height protocol).  For each condition (e.g. grab bar with side guard and grab bar without side guard), subjects were asked to select their preferred grab bar height for both 1) transferring to lower heights and 2) transferring to higher heights than their WMD seat height.  The preferred grab bar height was measured between the floor and the top of the grab bar surface.  Maximum and minimum heights attainable, front grab use, and grab bar heights for each the lower-height and higher-height transfers were recorded.

Figure 7. Subject transferring with the side guard and front grab bar in place and the transfer station higher than the wheelchair