Evaluación del PPAL
2 de noviembre de 2026 actualizado por: Alicia Koontz
Desarrollo y Evaluación del Conmutador de Inodoro PPAL para Transferencias Sanitarias Seguras e Independientes
This research study is being conducted to better understand the impact of the PPAL assisted toileting device. The PPAL consists of a powered, height-adjustable commode chair with integrated transfer boards. The system is designed to allow users to assist with their own transfers to and from the bed or chair to the PPAL for toileting, with minimal manual assistance from caregivers. Users who require assistance with transfers, and their caregivers, have a high likelihood of experiencing injury during transfers.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the PPAL bedside commode in a home setting to better understand the impact of the device during a six-week at-home trial. Participants will be asked to schedule a home visit with the research team to screen their home, answer questions, and observe the participant's current transfer methods to their toilet or commode to ensure that both the participant and caregiver are appropriate candidates for the device. Once approved, a delivery date will be arranged to deliver the PPAL to the participant's home. At the end of the six-week trial, the study team will arrange a final visit to retrieve the PPAL and again ask questions and observe a toilet transfer using both the PPAL and the customary commode. Finally, the investigators will interview the participant and caregiver to assess their satisfaction with the device. This interview will be audio recorded.
This study involves minimal risks, which are expected to occur infrequently. There is a possibility that the participant could experience a scrape, bruise, cut, or pinch injury while using a device with which they are not familiar. There is also the possibility that the participant could fall when attempting to transfer to or from the device; however, the investigators will thoroughly demonstrate the device and monitor its use to minimize this risk. There is also a risk of breach of confidentiality, as text messages and emails may not be encrypted or secure during transmission or storage, and it is possible they could be intercepted or accessed by individuals not associated with this study.
There will be no direct benefit to the participant from participating in the study, but participation will help developers of the PPAL better understand the opinions, needs, and abilities of caregivers and patients who may use the device.
Descripción general del estudio
Estado
Estado
Reclutamiento
Condiciones
Condiciones
Intervención / Tratamiento
Intervención / Tratamiento
Tipo de estudio
Tipo de estudio
Intervencionista
Inscripción (Estimado)
Inscripción
16
Fase
Fase
- No aplica
Contactos y Ubicaciones
Esta sección proporciona los datos de contacto de quienes realizan el estudio e información sobre dónde se lleva a cabo este estudio.
Estudio Contacto
Estudio Contacto
- Nombre: Nikitha Deepak, MS
- Número de teléfono: 412-822-3669
- Correo electrónico: NID51@pitt.edu
Copia de seguridad de contactos de estudio
- Nombre: Edward J McClain, MA
- Correo electrónico: tjm290@pitt.edu
Ubicaciones de estudio
-
-
Pennsylvania
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Estados Unidos, 15206
- Reclutamiento
- University of Pittsburgh: Human Engineering Research Laboratories
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Investigador principal:
- Alicia Koontz, PhD
-
Contacto:
- Nikitha Deepak, MS
- Número de teléfono: 412-407-2047
- Correo electrónico: NID51@pitt.edu
-
Contacto:
- Edward J McClain, MA
- Número de teléfono: 412-407-2047
- Correo electrónico: tjm290@pitt.edu
-
-
Criterios de participación
Los investigadores buscan personas que se ajusten a una determinada descripción, denominada criterio de elegibilidad. Algunos ejemplos de estos criterios son el estado de salud general de una persona o tratamientos previos.
Criterio de elegibilidad
Criterio de elegibilidad
Edades elegibles para estudiar
18 años y mayores (Adulto, Adulto Mayor)
Acepta Voluntarios Saludables
No
Géneros elegibles para el estudio
Todos
Descripción
Toileter Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18 years or above
- Weighs 300 pounds or less and is able to fit within the dimensions of the PPAL - Has difficulty with getting on or off a toilet or commode at any point in a typical 24-hour period
- Resides in either a home, independent living residence, assisted living or extended care residence
- Able to maintain sitting balance independently (without human assistance) for at least 2 minutes
- If sitting for longer than 2 minutes (with or without assistance), does not get dizzy or lightheaded
- Residence is able to accommodate the PPAL in the Bedroom or designated space.
Toileter Exclusion Criteria:
- Ventilator users
- Free of acute medical events within the last 3 months
- Had Stage 2 or greater pressure ulcer within the last 3 months
- Upcoming planned medical procedures or surgeries in the next 3 months.
Caregiver Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18 years or above
- Formal/paid or informal/unpaid caregiver for the patient participant (toileter) who provides toileting assistance at least 3 days per week
Caregiver Exclusion Criteria:
-Physical limitations that prevent caregiver from manually assisting with PPAL transfer or from maneuvering the PPAL around the end-user's residence
Plan de estudios
Esta sección proporciona detalles del plan de estudio, incluido cómo está diseñado el estudio y qué mide el estudio.
¿Cómo está diseñado el estudio?
Detalles de diseño
- Propósito principal: Cuidados de apoyo
- Asignación: N / A
- Modelo Intervencionista: Asignación de un solo grupo
- Enmascaramiento: Ninguno (etiqueta abierta)
Número de brazos
1
Armas e Intervenciones
Grupo de participantes/brazoGrupo de participantes/brazo |
Intervención / TratamientoIntervención / Tratamiento |
|---|---|
|
Experimental: Usuario PPAL
|
PPAL is a patented, motorized, height adjustable bedside commode with integrated transfer boards. PPAL incorporates a transfer board that moves up and down as the chair seat is raised or lowered so that the user can always perform a downhill transfer. This innovation will allow individuals with limited mobility who currently rely on caregiver assistance to transfer more independently. |
¿Qué mide el estudio?
Medidas de resultado primarias
Medidas de resultado primarias
Medida de resultado |
Medida Descripción |
Periodo de tiempo |
|---|---|---|
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Change in fall efficacy with connection to toileting
Periodo de tiempo: Change from pre to post 6 week trial
|
We aim to determine whether the use of PPAL reduces fear of falling during toileting activities. To assess this, we will utilize the Fall Concerns Scale for individuals who use Wheelchairs and Scooters (FCS-WC/S). Items are scored on a scale of concern, with 1 being "Not at all concerned" and 4 being "Very Concerned". Scores can be analyzed from specific questions, or the questionnaire as a whole. For this result we will focus on the item specifically associated with getting on/off of a toilet or commode at home. A decrease in FCS-WC/S scores at the end of the study would indicate a reduction in fear of falling. |
Change from pre to post 6 week trial
|
Medidas de resultado secundarias
Medidas de resultado secundarias
Medida de resultado |
Medida Descripción |
Periodo de tiempo |
|---|---|---|
|
Change in GG Self-Care score for Toilet Transfer
Periodo de tiempo: Change from pre to post 6 week trial
|
We aim to observe a change in the GG Self-Care score for toilet transfers, specifically an improvement in the individual's ability to safely get on and off a toilet or commode. This item is scored on a scale from 1 (Dependent: completely reliant on a caregiver) to 6 (Independent: no assistance required). An increase in this score would indicate improved functional independence. |
Change from pre to post 6 week trial
|
|
System Usability Scale (SUS)
Periodo de tiempo: At the end of the 6 week trial
|
We aim to find that PPAL will have at minimum an acceptable level of usability at the end of the trial. The SUS consists of items rated on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), assessing the participants perceived usability of the system in several domain areas. A total score is computed and a score of 68 or higher would be indicative of acceptable usability (scores ranging from 0 to 100 with higher scores indicating better usability). |
At the end of the 6 week trial
|
Colaboradores e Investigadores
Aquí es donde encontrará personas y organizaciones involucradas en este estudio.
Patrocinador
Patrocinador
Colaboradores
Colaboradores
Investigadores
Investigadores
- Investigador principal: Alicia M Koontz, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Publicaciones y enlaces útiles
La persona responsable de ingresar información sobre el estudio proporciona voluntariamente estas publicaciones. Estos pueden ser sobre cualquier cosa relacionada con el estudio.
Publicaciones Generales
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- Taylor B, Henshall C, Kenyon S, Litchfield I, Greenfield S. Can rapid approaches to qualitative analysis deliver timely, valid findings to clinical leaders? A mixed methods study comparing rapid and thematic analysis. BMJ Open. 2018 Oct 8;8(10):e019993. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019993.
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- Kulich HR, Bass SR, Koontz AM. Rehabilitation professional and user evaluation of an integrated push-pull lever drive system for wheelchair mobility. Assist Technol. 2024 Sep;36(5):329-337. doi: 10.1080/10400435.2020.1836068. Epub 2020 Nov 12.
- Kulich HR, Bass SR, Griscavage JS, Vijayvargiya A, Slowik JS, Koontz AM. An ergonomic comparison of three different patient transport chairs in a simulated hospital environment. Appl Ergon. 2020 Oct;88:103172. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103172. Epub 2020 Jun 8.
- Macefield R. How to specify the participant group size for usability studies: a practitioner's guide. Journal of Usability Studies. 2009;5(1):34-45.
- Demers L, Weiss-Lambrou R, Ska B. The Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0): An overview and recent progress. Technology and Disability. 2002;14:101-5.
- Mortenson WB, Demers L, Fuhrer MJ, Jutai JW, Lenker J, DeRuyter F. Development and preliminary evaluation of the caregiver assistive technology outcome measure. J Rehabil Med. 2015 May;47(5):412-8. doi: 10.2340/16501977-1952.
- Boswell-Ruys CL, Harvey LA, Delbaere K, Lord SR. A Falls Concern Scale for people with spinal cord injury (SCI-FCS). Spinal Cord. 2010 Sep;48(9):704-9. doi: 10.1038/sc.2010.1. Epub 2010 Feb 2.
- Hittle DF, Shaughnessy PW, Crisler KS, Powell MC, Richard AA, Conway KS, Stearns PM, Engle K. A Study of Reliability and Burden of Home Health Assessment Using OASIS. Home Health Care Serv Q. 2004 Feb 2;22(4):43-63. doi: 10.1300/J027v22n04_03.
- Shew PA, Sanders SL, Arthur NC, Bush KW. OASIS inter-rater reliability and reimbursement: a study of inter-rater reliability of the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS): its effects on the Home Health Resource Group (HHRG) and reimbursement. Home Healthc Nurse. 2010 Jan;28(1):31-6. doi: 10.1097/01.NHH.0000366795.71528.ac.
- Sundaram SA, Chung CS, Gebrosky B, Brown J, Grindle GG, Deepak N, Cooper R, Cooper RA. Participatory action design and engineering of a manual wheelchair virtual coach including in-home and community usage. J Spinal Cord Med. 2023 Jul;46(4):546-559. doi: 10.1080/10790268.2022.2107352. Epub 2022 Aug 22.
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- Daveler B, Wang H, Gebrosky B, Grindle GG, Schneider U, Cooper RA. Integration of Pneumatic Technology in Powered Mobility Devices. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil. 2017 Spring;23(2):120-130. doi: 10.1310/sci2302-120.
- Grindle GG, Wang H, Jeannis H, Teodorski E, Cooper RA. Design and user evaluation of a wheelchair mounted robotic assisted transfer device. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:198476. doi: 10.1155/2015/198476. Epub 2015 Feb 22.
- Virzi RA. Refining the Test Phase of Usability Evaluation: How Many Subjects Is Enough? Human Factors. 1992;34(4):457-68.
- Friesen EL. Measuring AT Usability with the Modified System Usability Scale (SUS). Stud Health Technol Inform. 2017;242:137-143.
- Sauro J. Measuring Usability with the System Usability Scale (SUS) Measuring 2011
- Hyman WA. A generic fault tree for medical device error. Journal of Clinical Engineering. 2002;27(2):134-40.
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- Gebrosky B, Pearlman J, Cooper R. Comparison of High-Strength Aluminum Ultralight Wheelchairs Using ANSI/RESNA Testing Standards. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil. 2018 Winter;24(1):63-77. doi: 10.1310/sci16-00057. Epub 2017 Nov 20.
- Gebrosky B, Pearlman J, Cooper RA, Cooper R, Kelleher A. Evaluation of lightweight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA testing standards. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013;50(10):1373-89. doi: 10.1682/JRRD.2012.08.0155.
- Steinfeld E, Maisel J, Feathers D, D'Souza C. Anthropometry and standards for wheeled mobility: an international comparison. Assist Technol. 2010 Spring;22(1):51-67. doi: 10.1080/10400430903520280.
- Noble NL, Sweeney NL. Barriers to the Use of Assistive Devices in Patient Handling. Workplace Health Saf. 2018 Jan;66(1):41-48. doi: 10.1177/2165079917697216. Epub 2017 May 9.
- Dicianno BE, Joseph J, Eckstein S, Zigler CK, Quinby EJ, Schmeler MR, Schein RM, Pearlman J, Cooper RA. The future of the provision process for mobility assistive technology: a survey of providers. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2019 May;14(4):338-345. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2018.1448470. Epub 2018 Mar 20.
- Tang K, Diaz J, Lui O, Proulx L, Galle E, Packham T. Do active assist transfer devices improve transfer safety for patients and caregivers in hospital and community settings? A scoping review. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2020 Aug;15(6):614-624. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2019.1604822. Epub 2019 Jun 28.
- Greenhalgh M, Landis JM, Brown J, Kulich H, Bass S, Alqahtani S, Deepak N, Cryzter TM, Grindle GG, Koontz AM, Cooper RA. Assessment of Usability and Task Load Demand Using a Robot-Assisted Transfer Device Compared With a Hoyer Advance for Dependent Wheelchair Transfers. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2019 Aug;98(8):729-734. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001176.
- Cohen MH, FAIA F, Nelson GG, Green DA, Borden CM. Patient handling and movement assessments: a white paper. Dallas, TX: The Facility Guidelines Institute. 2010:1-144.
- Darragh AR, Sommerich CM, Lavender SA, Tanner KJ, Vogel K, Campo M. Musculoskeletal Discomfort, Physical Demand, and Caregiving Activities in Informal Caregivers. J Appl Gerontol. 2015 Sep;34(6):734-60. doi: 10.1177/0733464813496464. Epub 2013 Sep 9.
- Owen B, Garg A. Assistive devices for use with patient handling tasks. Advances in Industrial Ergonomics and Safety. 1990;2:585-92.
- Charney W, Hudson A. Back injury among healthcare workers: Causes, solutions, and impacts: CRC Press; 2003
- Joey NCM, Ho Marc WK. Does self-initiated sit-to-stand training with an assistive device regain the independence of sit-to-stand in stroke patient? A single-blinded randomized controlled trial. J Rehabil Assist Technol Eng. 2020 Jan 20;7:2055668319866053. doi: 10.1177/2055668319866053. eCollection 2020 Jan-Dec.
- Koontz AM, Bass SR, Kulich HR. Accessibility facilitators and barriers affecting independent wheelchair transfers in the community. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2021 Oct;16(7):741-748. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2019.1710771. Epub 2020 Jan 8.
- Toro ML, Koontz AM, Cooper RA. The impact of transfer setup on the performance of independent wheelchair transfers. Hum Factors. 2013 Jun;55(3):567-80. doi: 10.1177/0018720812460549.
- Nelson AL, Groer S, Palacios P, Mitchell D, Sabharwal S, Kirby RL, Gavin-Dreschnack D, Powell-Cope G. Wheelchair-related falls in veterans with spinal cord injury residing in the community: a prospective cohort study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2010 Aug;91(8):1166-73. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2010.05.008.
- Peterson EW, Cho CC, Finlayson ML. Fear of falling and associated activity curtailment among middle aged and older adults with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2007 Nov;13(9):1168-75. doi: 10.1177/1352458507079260. Epub 2007 Sep 19.
- Rice L, Kalron A, Berkowitz SH, Backus D, Sosnoff JJ. Fall prevalence in wheeled mobility device users living with multiple sclerosis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2016;97(10):e40-e1.
- Gagnon D, Koontz A, Mulroy S, Nawoczenski D, Butler-Forslund E, Granstrom A, et al. Biomechanics of sitting pivot transfers among individuals with a spinal cord injury: a review of the current knowledge. Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation. 2009;15(2):33-58.
- King EC, Holliday PJ, Andrews GJ. Care Challenges in the Bathroom: The Views of Professional Care Providers Working in Clients' Homes. J Appl Gerontol. 2018 Apr;37(4):493-515. doi: 10.1177/0733464816649278. Epub 2016 May 29.
- Tzeng HM. A feasibility study of providing folding commode chairs in patient bathrooms to reduce toileting-related falls in an adult acute medical-surgical unit. J Nurs Care Qual. 2011 Jan-Mar;26(1):61-8. doi: 10.1097/NCQ.0b013e3181d94f4d.
- Lam K, Shi Y, Boscardin J, Covinsky KE. Unmet Need for Equipment to Help With Bathing and Toileting Among Older US Adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2021 May 1;181(5):662-670. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.0204.
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- De-Rosende-Celeiro I, Torres G, Seoane-Bouzas M, Avila A. Exploring the use of assistive products to promote functional independence in self-care activities in the bathroom. PLoS One. 2019 Apr 8;14(4):e0215002. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215002. eCollection 2019.
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- Tsai CY, Boninger ML, Bass SR, Koontz AM. Upper-limb biomechanical analysis of wheelchair transfer techniques in two toilet configurations. Clin Biomech (Bristol). 2018 Jun;55:79-85. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2018.04.008. Epub 2018 Apr 12.
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- Sung J, Trace Y, Peterson EW, Sosnoff JJ, Rice LA. Falls among full-time wheelchair users with spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis: a comparison of characteristics of fallers and circumstances of falls. Disabil Rehabil. 2019 Feb;41(4):389-395. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2017.1393111. Epub 2017 Oct 25.
- Blanchet R, Edwards N. A need to improve the assessment of environmental hazards for falls on stairs and in bathrooms: results of a scoping review. BMC Geriatr. 2018 Nov 9;18(1):272. doi: 10.1186/s12877-018-0958-1.
Fechas de registro del estudio
Estas fechas rastrean el progreso del registro del estudio y los envíos de resultados resumidos a ClinicalTrials.gov. Los registros del estudio y los resultados informados son revisados por la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina (NLM) para asegurarse de que cumplan con los estándares de control de calidad específicos antes de publicarlos en el sitio web público.
Fechas importantes del estudio
Inicio del estudio (Actual)
Inicio del estudio
20 de enero de 2026
Finalización primaria (Estimado)
Finalización primaria
20 de noviembre de 2026
Finalización del estudio (Estimado)
Finalización del estudio
20 de noviembre de 2026
Fechas de registro del estudio
Enviado por primera vez
Enviado por primera vez
24 de octubre de 2025
Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
24 de octubre de 2025
Publicado por primera vez (Actual)
Publicado por primera vez
28 de octubre de 2025
Actualizaciones de registros de estudio
Última actualización publicada (Actual)
Última actualización publicada
5 de noviembre de 2026
Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
2 de noviembre de 2026
Última verificación
Última verificación
1 de noviembre de 2026
Más información
Términos relacionados con este estudio
Palabras clave
Otros números de identificación del estudio
Otros números de identificación del estudio
- STUDY25100178
- 5R44NR019516-03 (Subvención/contrato del NIH de EE. UU.)
Plan de datos de participantes individuales (IPD)
¿Planea compartir datos de participantes individuales (IPD)?
SÍ
Información sobre medicamentos y dispositivos, documentos del estudio
Estudia un producto farmacéutico regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.
No
Estudia un producto de dispositivo regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.
Sí
Esta información se obtuvo directamente del sitio web clinicaltrials.gov sin cambios. Si tiene alguna solicitud para cambiar, eliminar o actualizar los detalles de su estudio, comuníquese con register@clinicaltrials.gov. Tan pronto como se implemente un cambio en clinicaltrials.gov, también se actualizará automáticamente en nuestro sitio web. .