Transfer Assessment Instrument (TAI)

For Veterans who rely on wheelchairs for mobility, performing transfers is essential to achieving independence with activities of daily living. For example, transfers are required for getting into and out of bed, on and off a bathtub/shower seat, commode seat, motor vehicle seat and so on. Unfortunately transfers (along with wheelchair propulsion, weight relief, and overhead activities) are believed to largely contribute to the development of shoulder pain and injury.

The intent of this project is to develop a tool for clinicians to assess wheelchair transfers. We expect this project will result in new knowledge and understanding of the biomechanics of transfer techniques and will produce an evidence-based tool that can be readily applied in the clinic to identify problems with transfers and guide interventions directed at preserving upper limb function. This research has great potential to reduce healthcare costs related to overuse injuries by educating and training Veterans to use less-injurious transfer techniques.