Author: numotion

  • NuDigest: The Mathematics of Complex Rehab Seating

    A person’s hand operates the joystick control of an electric wheelchair outdoors. The person, dressed in a patterned dress, uses complex rehab seating for enhanced support. The background is green and blurred.

    Have you ever thought about all of the mathematics that go into the proper set-up of a manual mobility device? Disregard the obvious calculations such as subtracting the thickness of the cushion from the lower leg length measurement to achieve the proper footrest height, or adding the thickness of the solid back to the seat…

  • NuDigest: Application of Ethics for Assistive Technology Professionals in Complex Rehabilitation Technology

    A technician in a gray uniform uses a power drill to repair an electric wheelchair in a workshop, offering in-shop service with tools and equipment visible in the background.

    By Anne Keischnik, BSW, ATP, CRTS and Desmond Wiles, ATP/SMS, CRTS

  • NuDigest: Posture and Visual Development

    A woman in a motorized wheelchair with Power Seat Elevators smiles while reaching for a book on a library shelf, surrounded by neatly organized books and warm lighting.

    Posture in children who require some degree of external support to facilitate a midline position can affect many aspects of physical and perceptual motor development, including visual development. For developing children, normal stimulation is required for proper visual development to occur. Without regular stimulation, visual dysfunction such as strabismus (misalignment of the eyes) can occur…

  • NuDigest: Training Methods for Pediatric Powered Mobility

    A young girl with dark hair smiles and laughs while sitting in a pediatric powered mobility device indoors, surrounded by plants and natural light from large windows.

    Powered mobility for children is a well-researched and accepted method of providing self-initiated mobility. Powered mobility (PM) devices can facilitate independent exploration of the environment and provide a functional means of locomotion for children with mobility limitations. There is great evidence to support that by exploring their environment, positive changes can occur regarding a child’s…

  • NuDigest: Benefits of Standing

    A man with a tattoo on his right arm prepares food in a cluttered kitchen, using a pressure cooker on the counter. Kitchen shelves and counters are filled with containers and ingredients, highlighting some accessibility tips for an accessible apartment.

    Standing has numerous proven benefits. Being vertical is necessary to contribute to health and wellness, as many individuals with disabilities are at risk for secondary conditions due to immobility. Switching positions throughout the day provides relief and comfort for those who spend the majority of their day sitting. For individuals unable to stand spontaneously, alternative…

  • NuDigest: Are Community Based Seating Clinics the Future?

    A man stands beside an elderly man in a Power Tilt Wheelchair and an elderly woman seated at a table, all smiling and chatting in a bright, modern room with large windows.

    With increased demand and consumer expectations on a constant rise for more convenient options, community-based outpatient facilities in the world of Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) are becoming more prevalent. For this article, Numotion’s Tony Leo sat down to explore the concept of community-based seating clinics with the owner and operator of Adler Therapy Group (ATG),…

  • NuDigest: Balancing Loaner Wheelchair vs Custom Wheelchair Needs for ALS patients

    A person using a loaner wheelchair sits in a doorway, gazing out at the sunset. Warm light casts long shadows on the floor, creating a calm and contemplative atmosphere.

    ALS is a devastating diagnosis. It tends to be diagnosis by omission of other issues and often by the time this happens, mobility has been affected. When that becomes the case, there is a need to discuss a mobility solution – generally a power wheelchair. With many ALS patients, the immediacy of their condition drives…

  • NuDigest: Managing Upper Extremity Pain with the Right Wheelchair Configuration

    A person with short gray hair uses a motorized wheelchair with a custom configuration on a sidewalk, carrying a green backpack. Trees and greenery surround the path on a sunny day.

    Utilizing the upper extremities as primary movers for transfers and mobility is a challenge beyond the limits of a shoulder’s anatomical design. One to two thirds of full-time manual wheelchair users report upper extremity pain, many within the first year of injury (PVACSCM, 2005). Upper extremity pain decreases independence and quality of life while increasing…

  • NuDigest: All Manual Wheelchairs Are Not Equal

    Two wheelchair icons, one orange and one blue, represent a wheelchair comparison and are separated by a not equal to symbol. Below them is an orange banner with the text NuDigest and a document icon.

    In the confusing world of durable medical equipment, many pieces of equipment are labeled “wheelchair.” But, not all manual wheelchairs are equal. Manual wheelchairs are categorized by these codes: Significant advancements have been made in wheelchair manufacturing and material quality.However, depot or lightweight wheelchairs (K0001-K0003) have no minimum Medicare or accrediting body requirements to meet…

  • NuDigest: Complex Rehabilitation Strollers – The Right Device for a Young Child?

    A woman kneels next to a boy seated in a complex rehabilitation stroller, gently touching his head. Another young child stands nearby, smiling at them. They are outdoors in a park setting with benches and greenery.

    Selecting the right complex rehabilitation technology device for a young child is not an easy decision. There are many options available, and several factors for the parents and clinical team to consider. Complex rehabilitation strollers play an important role in supporting and providing dependent mobility for infants and very young children. They combine the look…