Desenvolvimento da cadeira de rodas : aspectos históricos, importância e funcionalidades.

Abstract

Wheelchairs are an auxiliary means of locomotion for users with disabilities and/or reduced mobility, helping in functional independence, which has evolved in general aspects, functionality, mobility, rudimentary to sophisticated materials, safer and effectively, improving your quality of life. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the development of wheelchair and their relationship with the importance of functionality and mobility to the user. Methods: This is a literature review, looking for articles and/or teaching materials, from the SciELO, Google Scholar, Manuals and PubMed databases. The data of the development of the wheelchair were analyzed through the timeline in chronological order and a table with author/year, article title and keyword. Selected 15 scientific articles and teaching materials published between 2002 and 2021. Results/Discussion: A significant diversity of wheelchair was found, in terms of material, made of wood, horizontal and fixed for a bold design, made of carbon fiber, taking into account ergonomic aspects, safety, comfort, functionality, which they share in social inclusion and user autonomy. In sport, it also showed changes over time, which provides competitiveness with safety. Aspects such as handling and its displacement, whether by a wheelchair user or by third parties, evolving significantly in all models of wheelchair, whether manual, bath or motorized. Conclusion: In this study, it was possible to observe that the wheelchair has undergone transformations over time, both in the development of the locomotion device and the aspects raised and discussed regarding functionalities, importance and general.