Preliminary evaluation of an automated robotic transfer assist device in the home setting.

Only six end users and five caregivers were analysed, although eight end users and seven caregivers were enrolled. The study compared each participant only before and after using the device; no random allocation, control group or blinding was described. The main Transfer Task Evaluation survey was adapted from the NASA Task Load Index but had not been validated. Daily and overall device use was not collected, so it is unclear how often participants used the system. Six weeks may not have been long enough for users and caregivers to adjust to a new transfer method. Participants did not use the accompanying wheelchair for daily mobility, so they still had to transfer between their own mobility device and the system wheelchair. Only people who had enough home space to fit the system and were eager to participate were included, so results may not apply to smaller homes or people needing more transfer assistance. The study did not measure friction, shear or pressure distribution during transfers.

The authors reported no potential conflicts of interest. The article is listed as supported by NIH extramural research, and the authors state the contents do not represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government.

Do not read this as proof that the device improves health-related quality of life. The transfer-workload scores improved, but standard health and quality-of-life scores did not change, social functioning decreased, and only six end users and five caregivers were analysed over six weeks.