Developing a wheelchair that adjusts speed for better mobility.
Official title: Multi-speed Ergonomic Wheelchair
Funded at Minneapolis VA Medical Center · NIH-11055418 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, comfortable wheelchair made just for Veterans with spinal cord injuries, which lets you easily switch gears for different types of terrain, helping you move around more easily and use less energy in your daily activities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Minneapolis VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003664-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055418 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders who use wheelchairs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use wheelchairs or have conditions unrelated to mobility challenges may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating an ergonomic wheelchair designed specifically for Veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders. The wheelchair features a unique chain drive system that allows for adjustable gear ratios, enabling users to switch between lower gears for challenging terrains and higher gears for smoother surfaces. By assessing the efficiency of different gearing options, the study aims to enhance the wheelchair's performance and ease of use for daily activities. Participants will engage in a cross-over study to evaluate how these adjustments impact their mobility and energy expenditure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the mobility and quality of life for wheelchair users by making it easier to navigate various environments.
How similar studies have gone: While ergonomic wheelchairs have been developed, this specific approach of adjustable gearing for enhanced mobility is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Minneapolis VA Medical Center
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Looft, John M — Minneapolis VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Looft, John M
Related research
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Ergonomic multi-speed wheelchair
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Rehabilitation and Engineering Center to Help Veterans Stay Active and Engaged
A center is working to help veterans with amputations or spinal cord injuries stay involved in daily life by creating practical rehab tools and technologies, and making it easier to adapt as needs change over time.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.