A clinical guide to:

Quality of Life and Independence

Requiring a manual wheelchair for mobility can come with its challenges

physical barriers and accessibility issues; social stigma and mental health implications; financial and employment constraints.

These limiting factors can have a negative impact on quality of life and independence.

Clinical Recommendations

Community factors such as funding of wheeled mobility devices, accessibility of public transportation and societal attitudes significantly improve the quality of life and independence.
Fasipe et al. 2024

Active / Ultralight Wheelchairs

RESNA position paper 2023 states that the ULWC that is fully adjustable and configurable to meet individuals’ needs enhances participation and outcomes of quality of life.
Worobey et al. 2023

User Benefits

Use of active / ultralightweight wheelchairs can increase the user’s independence and social participation and therefore quality of life.

1. Increased independence with wheeled mobility

The ability to fine-tune components such as rear axle position, seat height, and backrest angles allows users to optimise propulsion efficiency and functional independence
Flemmer et al. 2016
Some active / ultralightweight wheelchairs can be combined with power assist devices, which increase mobility range, by decreasing physical exertion, and allowing users to travel greater distances without fatigue
Klerk et al. 2018

2. Mobility-related quality of life

Research highlights that greater mobility capabilities improve life-space mobility, expanding a person’s ability to navigate beyond their immediate environment to community spaces
Sakakibara et al. 2017
Mobility independence is directly linked to higher confidence and self-esteem, as individuals can engage more meaningfully with their surroundings while maintaining control over their movement
Ferretti et al. 2022

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