Novel technologies such as the Nino® two-wheeled powered mobility device are promoted as offering an intuitive improved experience compared to conventional wheelchair mobility use. The Nino® has a smaller footprint than a power wheelchair, a zero-degree turning radius, tiller-based steering, and relies on the user leaning forwards and back to move and brake. This study aimed to evaluate manual wheelchair users’ ability to use the Nino® to complete a variety of wheelchair skills, and also investigated task demand, user confidence, and user perceptions. Twelve participants with a mean of 22 years of experience using a wheelchair completed the study; most had spinal cord injuries and one had multiple sclerosis. Our findings indicate that Wheelchair Skills Test scores were significantly higher for individuals in their manual wheelchair than in the Nino®. Results from the Wheelchair Use Confidence Scale showed that confidence scores increased significantly after completing Nino® training, and that participants were significantly more confident using their manual chair than the Nino®. Cognitive workload, as measured by the NASA-Task Load Index, was significantly higher in the Nino® than in participants’ manual wheelchairs. Findings from qualitative interviews suggest that the Nino® is unlikely to be suitable as a functional replacement of an individual’s manual wheelchair. Most participants felt unsafe during braking. Other perceptions included that the Nino may be a good alternative for use as a recreational outdoor mobility device, a powered mobility option to help prevent upper extremity overuse injuries, have a positive impact on social interactions, but that a high degree of focus was required during use. In addition to needing to address safety, usability, and functional concerns, the data suggests a clinical focus on training individuals to use these new devices may be necessary for effective community use.

中文翻译：

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Nino®两轮动力移动装置的评估：一项初步研究

与传统的轮椅出行方式相比，Nino®两轮电动出行装置等新技术得到了推广，可提供直观的改善体验。Nino®的占地面积比电动轮椅小，零度转弯半径，基于操纵杆的转向，并且依靠用户向前和向后倾斜来移动和制动。这项研究旨在评估手动轮椅使用者使用Nino®来完成各种轮椅技能的能力，并且还调查了任务需求，使用者信心和使用者感知。十二名平均有22年使用轮椅经验的参与者完成了这项研究；多数患有脊髓损伤，一种患有多发性硬化症。我们的发现表明，手动轮椅上的个人的轮椅技能测试得分明显高于Nino®。轮椅使用信心量表的结果显示，完成Nino®培训后，信心分数显着提高，并且与Nino®相比，参与者使用手动椅子的信心大大增强。根据NASA-任务负荷指数衡量，Nino®中的认知工作量显着高于参与者的手动轮椅。定性访谈的结果表明，Nino®不太适合作为个人手动轮椅的功能替代品。大多数参与者在制动过程中感到不安全。其他看法包括Nino可能是用作休闲户外移动设备的好选择，电动移动选件有助于防止上肢过度使用伤害，对社交互动有积极影响，但是在使用过程中需要高度集中注意力。除了需要解决安全性，可用性和功能方面的问题外，数据还表明临床上注重培训个人使用这些新设备的方法对于有效地使用社区可能是必要的。