Virtual Seating Coach on Power Wheelchairs of Persons With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (ALS)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis focused on measuring Power wheelchairs, pressure injuries, pain
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Treatment group: Inclusion will be diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Current clinic client at The Carolinas Neuromuscular ALS/MDA Center's Multidisciplinary ALS clinic Currently using a Permobil power wheelchair with power seating with R-Net electronics that accepts the VSC Has a Permobil Corpus 3G (6 months old or newer) or who order a new Permobil power wheelchair. New Permobil chairs which are not obtained through this clinic will also be able to enter the study, such as chairs from other regions or from the Veteran's Administration. Comparison group: Inclusion will be diagnosis of ALS Current clinic client at The Carolinas Neuromuscular ALS/Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Center's multidisciplinary ALS clinic Currently using a power wheelchair with power seating. New chairs which are not obtained through this clinic will also be able to enter the study, such as chairs from other regions or from the Veteran's Administration. Exclusion Criteria: Treatment group: Another diagnosis besides ALS Does not have a Smart phone or tablet Frontotemporal Dementia as noted by MD/SLP/SW (Medical Doctor/Speech Language Pathologist/Social Worker) in medical records Inability/unwillingness to control wheelchair power features (client) Unwillingness to be monitored by study staff and alerted by VSC over time Uses other mobility devices indoors (scooter, basic power wheelchair) more than or in addition to Permobil PWC Comparison group: Another diagnosis besides ALS Frontotemporal Dementia as noted by MD/SLP/SW in medical records Inability/unwillingness to control wheelchair power features (client) Unwillingness to be monitored by study staff Uses other mobility devices indoors (scooter, basic power wheelchair) more than or in addition to power wheelchair Further exclusions may be added in future protocol versions
Sites / Locations
- Atrium Health - Neurosciences Institute
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
No Intervention
Virtual Seating Coach
Non Virtual Seating Coach
The Virtual Seating Coach is a context-aware reminding system that when set up by a clinician, directly benefits a user by reminding him or her to change position with the chair's power seating function.. Regular position changes increase independent function, reduce the risk of pressure ulcers, manage pain, and reduce swelling.
power wheelchairs that tilt, recline, and have leg elevation for maximal pressure management and to encourage repositioning to reduce the risk of skin breakdown/pressure injury as well as decrease pain.