EPIC WheelS Feasibility Study (NCT01740635) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
EPIC WheelS Feasibility Study
Canada20 participantsStarted 2013-03
Plain-language summary
Many older adults have difficulty walking. A wheelchair can improve their participation but older adults typically receive little wheelchair training. Structured training programs are effective but rely on multiple 1:1 sessions with a skilled clinician. EPIC WheelS combines 2 brief training sessions and a 4-week home training program delivered using a portable computer tablet and monitored by an expert trainer. This study investigates the feasibility and potential for using EPIC WheelS with older adult novice wheelchair users in Vancouver and Winnipeg, measuring the impact on wheelchair skill, safety and confidence compared to a control group receiving only cognitive training.
Hypotheses: The investigators expect that the feasibility outcomes will be sufficiently robust to support conducting a subsequent multi-site RCT. The investigators also expect the EPIC WheelS training program will have a significant treatment effect with improvement in wheelchair mobility, compared to a control group.
Who can participate
Age range
50 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
Wheelchair users must
* be at least 50 years old
* use his/her wheelchair for at least 1 hour per day on average
* live within the metropolitan boundaries of Vancouver or Winnipeg
* have a caregiver who is able to attend training sessions and supervise home training
Caregivers must
* be 19 years old or older
* be a caregiver of a manual wheelchair user who is 50 years or older
* able to attend the training sessions
* be able to supervise or spot the wheelchair user during home training
Exclusion Criteria:
Wheelchair users would be excluded if he/she
* cannot communicate or complete the study questionnaires in English
* has a health condition or upcoming procedure that would prevent you from performing training activities (e.g., cancer treatment, surgery)
* is currently receiving wheelchair skills training elsewhere
* cannot use both arms to propel your wheelchair
Caregivers will be excluded if
* he/she cannot communicate in English
* he/she has a health condition or upcoming procedure that would prevent you from supervising training activities (e.g., cancer treatment, surgery)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.