Falls Major Concern for Wheelchair, Scooter Users

Study finds over 98% of mobility device users report worries about falling, highlighting need for training and interventions.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 7:57am

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A new study from researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and University of Illinois Chicago found that more than 98% of adults who predominantly use wheelchairs and scooters for mobility reported some level of concern about falling. The researchers developed a "Fall Concerns Scale" to better assess these nuanced concerns and are using the findings to evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive mobile app intervention program aimed at reducing falls and building confidence in wheelchair and transfer skills.

Why it matters

Heightened concerns about falling can cause individuals to avoid essential physical and social activities, leading to physical deconditioning, secondary health issues, and mental performance decline. This creates a cycle of worsening disability with reduced mobility, increased fall risk, greater dependence and a decline in health-related quality of life. Interventions are needed to support wheelchair and scooter users and ensure they can use their mobility devices effectively.

The details

The study assessed fall concerns among 137 adults who used wheelchairs and scooters full-time, regardless of their underlying medical condition. About 63% were male and 37% female, with a median age of 34. Within the past year, 68% had experienced a fall-related injury. Those who had sustained injuries, were negatively affected by dizziness, and were less able to get up from the ground unassisted reported the most apprehension about falling. Contrary to prior research, younger and male participants had the highest level of concern, possibly due to attempting riskier activities or lacking training.

  • The study was published on March 27, 2026.

The players

Laura A. Rice

A health and kinesiology professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the study leader.

Elizabeth W. Peterson

A clinical professor and the director of professional education in occupational therapy at the University of Illinois Chicago, and a co-author of the study.

Sahel Moein

A doctoral student in health and kinesiology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a co-author of the study.

Jacob Sosnoff

The associate dean for research and a professor in the School of Health Professions at the University of Kansas, and a collaborator on the iROLL intervention program.

Deborah Backus

The vice president of research and innovation at the Shepherd Center in Georgia, and a collaborator on the iROLL intervention program.

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What they’re saying

“We wanted to develop an outcome measure that would be able to effectively evaluate wheelchair and scooter users' nuanced concerns so that we can better understand them and develop interventions to manage them.”

— Laura A. Rice, Health and kinesiology professor

“We cannot simply provide a device and expect people to be able to use it effectively. Training is critical to ensure that people can use a device to its full extent.”

— Laura A. Rice, Health and kinesiology professor

What’s next

The researchers plan to use the newly developed "Fall Concerns Scale" to evaluate the effectiveness of the iROLL (Individualized Reduction of Falls) mobile app intervention program, which aims to build users' confidence in their wheelchair and transfer skills and teach them how to get up after a fall.

The takeaway

This study highlights the critical need for targeted interventions and training programs to support wheelchair and scooter users in managing their heightened concerns about falling, which can otherwise lead to a debilitating cycle of reduced mobility, increased fall risk, and declining health and quality of life.