ALS Patients Choose Between Motorized and Manual Wheelchairs

If you have ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), you know that a wheelchair can make the difference in your independence. Whether the wheelchair is manual or motorized, it allows you to do more at home and in the community than if you did not have it. In 2001, a team of healthcare professionals at the Vicki Appel Muscular Dystrophy Association did a study to determine three things: 1) what wheelchair types and characteristics are most beneficial to ALS patients, 2) at what stage of disability ALS patients benefit from a wheelchair, 3) what the differences and benefits are between manual and motorized wheelchairs for ALS patients.

The Wheelchair Study
The study was conducted from September 1996 to September 1997. There were 28 men and 14 women who participated. Half of the patients owned motorized chairs and the other half manual, with two participants owning both. Questions were asked about feelings of well-being, for example how many times a week they left the house. The majority of the patients experienced moderate disability and problems with self-care because of weakness in upper body strength.  They were asked questions regarding portability and maneuverability of their wheelchairs.

Motorized Versus Manual Wheelchairs
The study found the owners of the motorized wheelchairs spent more time per day in the wheelchairs, and reported greater comfort and ease of maneuvering. The owners of manual chairs found them to be more portable. Overall, all users expressed a desire for greater comfort. A larger wheelbase, good cushion, and higher padded backrest were considered important from a comfort perspective.  A good air- or gel-filled seat cushion was felt necessary to prevent skin breakdown with pressure sores.

Often the chairs’ affordability determined the purchase of the chair.  It’s estimated that the average ALS patient will need two chairs over the course of the disease. For this reason, a healthcare professional who specializes in wheelchairs should be consulted before an ALS patient purchases a chair. They can make recommendations based on the individual’s disability as to the most cost-effective and comfortable chair for that individual’s needs.

For further information: “Wheelchair use by patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A survey of user characteristics and selection preferences,” M. Trail, MOT; N. Nelson PhD; J. Van, BA; S. Appel, MD; E. Lai, MD, PhD, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, volume 82, issue 1, p.98-102, January 2001.

See Related Articles
What is ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)? For more information about ALS, see Introduction to ALS.

Studies show many athletes are diagnosed with ALS. See ALS Research Study: Why Are Athletes Prone to Lou Gehrig’s Disease? to see whether or not vigorous exercise could promote the onset or the progression of muscle degeneration in ALS.