Raising wheelchair quality in India using international testing standards.

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the static stability and durability of five manual adult wheelchairs commonly used in India, using ISO 7176-1 and ISO 7176-8 standards. The objective was to assess whether these wheelchairs meet minimum quality requirements and to identify cost-effective options for users in India, where wheelchair breakdowns and abandonment are significant issues.

Materials and Methods: Five manual wheelchairs (WC1-WC5) were tested in a newly established ISO-compliant laboratory at Mobility India, Bangalore. Static stability was assessed using ISO 7176-1, which measures tipping angles in forward, rearward, and sideways directions. Durability was evaluated using ISO 7176-8, involving multi-drum and curb-drop tests to simulate long-term use. A 100 kg test dummy was used, and failures were classified as Class I (cosmetic), Class II (repairable), or Class III (structural). Cost-effectiveness was calculated as equivalent test cycles divided by wheelchair cost.

Results: Two of the five wheelchairs (WC1 and WC2) passed durability tests. WC1, an imported active folding wheelchair, and WC2, a locally manufactured economy model, demonstrated compliance with ISO standards. WC3, WC4, and WC5 failed durability testing due to Class III failures. WC2 was the most cost-effective option to WC1.

Conclusions: The study underscores the urgent need for regulating product quality using the recently adopted ISO 7176 standards in India to improve wheelchair quality and prevent premature failures. Locally manufactured wheelchairs like WC2, which met ISO standards and were cost-effective, should be prioritized. Regulatory bodies in India should mandate ISO testing and surveillance. Future efforts should focus on developing performance rating systems and expanding testing to include more samples and innovative designs suited to conditions witnessed in India.