The PERFORMANCE Project
Translation of findings on wheelchair follow-up, repair and maintenance
What Is PERFORMANCE
Wheelchairs are essential assistive devices that enable personal mobility, community participation, and employment. However, wheelchair parts break frequently, leading to breakdowns and poor health outcomes, including injury. This could be attributed to a systemic flaw: a lack of follow-up, repairs, and maintenance, an essential step after wheelchair assessment, fit, selection, and delivery.
This Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) aims to address this flaw by developing and implementing an evidence-based protocol for PERiodic FOllow-up, Repairs, and MaintenANCE (PERFORMANCE) at The Ohio State University Assistive Technology (AT) Center. The goal of this project is to reduce wheelchair breakdowns, improve health and mobility outcomes for wheelchair users, and promote the adoption of follow-up, repair, and maintenance practices in clinical settings.
Our Team
Collaborators
Publications
Mhatre, A., DiGiovine, C., Boccardi, A., Wu, F., & Hess, B. (2025). Ultralight wheelchair part failures are associated with sensor-monitored road shocks: A pilot study. Assistive Technology, 37(2), 135–144. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2024.2448178
Mhatre, A., Loew, C., Yurtsever, E., & Mair, C. (2024). Power wheelchair usage and repair are associated: a retrospective analysis. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 20(1), 127–134. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2024.2353861 Mhatre, A., Zhao, M., DiGiovine, C., Berner, T., & Gauen, E. (2024). Identifying risk factors for wheelchair damage, part failure, and adverse consequences to the user. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2024.2428296 |
Connect with Us
Rehabilitation Engineering Design Lab
- anand.mhatre@osumc.edu
- http://red.osu.edu
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Columbus, OH