The NaturalFit Handrim - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Title:
The NaturalFit Handrim
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Treats Carpal Tunnel Syndrome pain in the hands & wrists ... Lower grip forces reduces pressure within the carpal tunnel when propelling the wheelchair ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation
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Title: The NaturalFit Handrim
1
The Natural-Fit Handrim
How much farther would you go?
www.out-front.com
2
The Natural-Fit Quick Facts I
- The Natural-Fit is unique because it
- Gives a better grip for a better push
- Eliminates pushing on the tire
- Eases pain in the hands and wrists
- Provides greater control when braking
- The combination of the oval and the thumb piece
create the ergonomic grip of the Natural-Fit - The Natural-Fit is designed for a person with
good hand function (e.g. it is not intended for
quads)
3
The Natural-Fit Quick Facts II
- Made of lightweight aluminum weighs just 12
ounces more than a standard handrim. - Offers 80 more surface area for gripping than a
standard handrim.
- Research Evidence of Benefits of the Natural-Fit
- Provides better performance efficiency than
standard handrims - Treats Carpal Tunnel Syndrome pain in the hands
wrists - Evidence is from the Univ. of Pittsburgh and the
Univ. of New Mexico and was published in 2006 in
the Journal Assistive Technology - Currently, the Natural-Fit is
- Prescribed at over 30 VA Medical Centers.
- Prescribed by leading wheelchair clinics
everywhere - To get the Natural-Fit on new chairs for your
clients, check the Natural-Fit option on the
Manufacturers order form
4
Overview of Detailed Presentation
- Background History of the Natural-Fit Handrim
- Description of the Natural-Fit and its Features
- Comparisons with Standard Handrims and Evidence
of the Benefits of Using the Natural-Fit - Product Information
- Summary The Natural-Fit Handrim Why it
matters!
5
Wheelchair users push on their handrim an average
of 2000 to 3000 times per dayProblems with the
Standard Round-Tube Handrim
- Poor ergonomic fit to the hand
- Small surface area for gripping
- Requires unhealthy pinch grip
- Gap between the rim and the wheel
Pinch Grip with Standard Handrim
- Handrims are used for propulsion and braking
- Round-tube handrims are poorly designed for both
6
The Result of Poorly Designed Handrims
- 60 of wheelchair users grip their tire
- Results in dirty hands, cuts and infections
- Pinch grip strains hands and wrists
- 30-70 of users have pain in their hands and
wrists associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - The high prevalence of pain leads to
- Decreases in quality of life
- Increases in healthcare costs
7
Redesigning The Handrim Background of the
Natural-Fit
- One of the inventors, Rory Cooper, is a
wheelchair user and leading researcher - Three Rivers received an NIH grant to further
develop the 1st prototype - Through a redesign of the 1st prototype, Three
Rivers created the Natural-Fit - The Natural Fit has one issued patent and one
additional patent pending
Dr. Rory A. Cooper
8
Natural-Fit Features Benefits
- The ergonomic grip of the Natural-Fit
- Eliminates the pinch grip
- Eases stress on the hands and arms when pushing
and braking - Reduces pain related to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- The Natural-Fit also has dual surfaces
- High friction surface for pushing
- Large smooth surface for braking
Cross Section of the Natural-Fit
Ergonomic Grip with the Natural-Fit
9
Natural-Fit Use Leads to Positive Outcomes
- Reduced fatigue, pain, and injury
helps to - Improve and/or maintain quality of life
- Extend ability to remain in a manual wheelchair
- Avoid medical costs associated with pain and
injury - Avoid costs of switching to a power wheelchair
- Cleaner hands, less cuts and infections
- Eliminates fingers catching between rim and wheel
10
Direct Evidence of Benefits Objective Testing
- NIH funded research comparing a Natural-Fit
prototype to the Standard Round-Tube Handrim - Comparisons between the two rims followed a
two-week trial period with the Natural-Fit
- The Natural-Fit resulted in decreased grip forces
on the rim with no differences in propulsive
power output - Conclusion When using the Natural-Fit,
wheelchair users generated the same power, with
lower grip forces - Lower grip forces reduces pressure within the
carpal tunnel when propelling the wheelchair
11
Direct Evidence of Benefits Ask the End-User
- Two comprehensive questionnaire studies have been
conducted - In 2004 by Three Rivers (sample of 46 users)
- In 2005 by the University of New Mexico (82
users) - Responses to both questionnaires were anonymous
and use of the Natural-Fit ranged from 2 weeks to
over 2 years - The results of both questionnaires indicated that
the Natural-Fit led to reductions in pain in the
hands and wrists - 76-85 reported less pain in the hands
- 71-80 reported less pain in the wrists
12
Direct Evidence of Benefits Activities of
Daily Living
- The 2005 questionnaire also examined daily
function. Since using the Natural-Fit - 67 reported that daily tasks were less work
- Each of 8 activities of daily living were
perceived, on average, as less difficult - Length of time using the Natural-Fit was included
as a factor in the 2005 Study - Reports of reduced pain were more pronounced as
time using the Natural-Fit increased - The Power of Converging Evidence Evidence of
reduced grip forces, questionnaire evidence, and
consistency with ergonomics literature
13
Natural-Fit Handrim Product Information
- The Natural-Fit is designed for a person with
paraplegia or with good hand function - The oval and the thumb piece components create
the ergonomic grip of the Natural-Fit - The oval is a large, smooth, hard anodized
surface for braking - The thumb piece is a propulsion surface that
comes with two coating options - The Standard Grip
- The Super Grip
14
Natural-Fit Handrim Coating Options on the
Thumb Piece
- How do you select the Standard Grip or the Super
Grip for the Natural Fit thumb piece? - The Standard Grip is a light weight powder coat
with a slightly higher friction surface than the
smooth oval - For those who Are most interested in the
ergonomic benefit, have good grip strength, and
do not like higher friction surfaces - The SuperGrip is a higher friction copolymer that
is similar to a vinyl coating but, although not
quite as grippy, it is more durable and lighter
weight than vinyl. - For those who Are interested in the ergonomic
benefit, but who also want a grippier higher
friction propulsion surface
15
Natural-Fit Handrim On a New Chair or Replace
an Old Rim
- The Natural-Fit replaces the old handrim on your
current wheelchair or can be ordered with a new
wheelchair. - Available on chairs from TiLite, Quickie,
Invacare, Top End, Colours, Quantum Rehab,
Freedom Designs, Melrose, RGK, K?schall, Lasher
Sport. The Natural-Fit is also available on Magic
Wheels, and to dealers through The Aftermarket
Group (TAG). - The Natural-Fit fits on spoke, mag, Spinergy,
X-core, Quickie, and other wheels. - The Natural-Fit fits on 22, 24, 25, or 26
wheels - The retail prices are
- 295 for the Standard Grip
- 340 for the SuperGrip
- Sample Letters of Medical Necessity (LMN) citing
the scientific, evidenced-based benefits of the
Natural-Fit are posted on our website at
www.3rivers.com
16
Summary - The Natural-Fit Why It Matters
- Wheelchair users push on the handrim 2000-3000
times a day - A handrim that doesnt fit (like a shoe that
doesnt fit) has costly, negative consequences. - The Natural-Fit is specifically designed to fit
the human hand - Significant Outcomes
- Reduced pain (treatment of symptoms related to
CTS) - Improved comfort and increased function
- Extends ability to remain in a manual wheelchair
- Eliminates grabbing the tire and promotes cleaner
hands - The Natural-Fit How much farther would you go?
