Impact of Pushrim Activated Power Assist Wheelchairs on Mobility Among People With Tetraplegia

The PAPAW is an electrically-powered add-on unit for common manual wheelchairs. The unit automatically supplements the users manual pushrim input with additional rear-wheel torque for up to six kilometers/hour traveling velocity. The amount of added torque is provided proportional to the user input to the pushrims. Movement and braking assistance is provided for both forward and rearward travel. Several types and sizes are available based on users operating strength, needs and anthropometry. The PAPAWs to be tested during this study will be the JWII (Yamaha Motor Corporation).