Improving Wheelchair Transfers: Usability Study of a Robotic Transfer System.

OBJECTIVES: Transfers between wheelchairs and beds pose injury risks to users and caregivers, with conventional devices often inefficient and unsafe. The Powered Personal Transfer System-a no-lift solution integrating an electric powered wheelchair and hospital bed-aims to improve safety and efficiency. This study evaluated (1) the usability of the powered personal transfer system compared with current transfer methods, (2) whether design refinements, including a docking station for electric powered wheelchair positioning and reduced workload, and (3) whether electric powered wheelchair modifications affected indoor mobility functionality. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional usability study. SETTING: The study used a simulated bedroom laboratory. INTERVENTION: Participants viewed a short instructional video, performed transfers using the Powered Personal Transfer System, and completed validated usability measures comparing the Powered Personal Transfer System with their usual transfer methods. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome measures are as follows: System Usability Scale, Usability Scale for Assistive Technology, NASA Task Load Index, and visual analog scale for mobility ease. RESULTS: The Powered Personal Transfer System achieved excellent usability. System Usability Scale scores were higher than current methods (users: 90 vs. 63.4, P  < 0.01; caregivers: 82.5 vs. 62.5, P  = 0.013). The docking station reduced mental workload ( P  < 0.001). Mobility tasks were rated easy (median VAS >8.5). CONCLUSIONS: Powered Personal Transfer System demonstrated excellent usability and outperformed existing transfer methods, offering a promising, safe, and efficient no-lift transfer solution.