Clinical Evaluation of Pneumatic Technology for Powered Mobility Devices
Phase: NA
Conditions: Disability
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Clinical Evaluation of Pneumatic Technology 
for Powered Mobility Devices
NCT03898362
July 3, 2025
Protocol

Methods: 
Design: 
This study was a qualitative analysis of comments obtained from a focus group and transcribed 
phone interviews. The project was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the Department 
of Veteran Affairs. All participants completed informed consent prior to study participation. The 
clinical trial was not carried out because of COVID-19. 
Participants 
Participants were recruited at the Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Southwestern 
Veterans Center, and VA Heinz Long Term Care Facility using recruitment flyers, and through 
contacts with staff at the facilities. Inclusion criteria were: must be 18 years or older, must speak 
and understand English in order to provide informed consent, must use or be in the process of 
obtaining a scooter or Group 2 power wheelchair without power seat functions, and must be a 
resident of a long-term Veterans care facility, a spouse or other facility resident, or an employee 
of a participating long-term care facility. Participants who were employees must have had some 
experience with charging, storing, transporting, cleaning, or maintaining BPMDs (e.g., nurses, 
physical therapists, occupational therapists, technicians/engineers). There were no exclusion 
criteria. 
Study Design and Procedure 
The participants witnessed a demonstration of the pneumatic technology scooter and power 
wheelchair. They were then invited to participate in an additional qualitative, transcribed 
interview via phone. The phone interviewer used a standardized interview script, and the 
interview was limited to 30 minutes. The focus group and the qualitative phone interview 

focused on the strengths and weaknesses of pneumatic devices compared to conventional 
wheelchairs or scooters that were battery powered.