Quantifying Electric-Powered Wheelchair (EPW) Driving Performance Using Jerk Metrics: A Pilot Study.

Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOT · 2026 · Pilot · OT
Serena S W Ng, Chung Hang Tang, Stephen C H Tse, Alfred C H Yip, Winnie W T Lam

In 7 wheelchair users, a sensor-based 'jerk' score tracked the Wheelchair Skills Test, suggesting it could add an objective measure to EPW assessment. Training improved scores in all four completers, but with only 4 people the change could not be confirmed. A pilot, not proof.

Key findings

1

Median EPW directional jerk (ρ = −0.857, p = 0.014) and the Jerk Index for the seven WST tasks (ρ = −0.786, p = 0.036) correlated significantly with WST scores, while joystick angular jerk (ρ = −0.750, p = 0.052) and both outdoor Jerk Index routes (ρ = −0.214, p = 0.645; ρ = −0.429, p = 0.337) did not reach the significance threshold.

2

No cognitive, sensory, or physical measure (age, MoCA-5min, visual reaction time, grip strength, muscle tone, visual acuity, hemianopia, education, driving experience) showed a statistically significant association with WST scores.

3

After four training sessions, WST scores improved by 21.3% and the Jerk Index decreased by 20.6%, but neither change reached the study's significance threshold (both p = 0.068) in the four participants who completed training.

MethodologyResultsClinical Relevance

Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Sixty-four participants were randomized across two intervention arms and assessed at twelve weeks for the primary outcome…

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