Patient Background

At this time, Carole had her Quantum Edge 3 for 4 yrs and 4 months and previously drove with a right-handed standard joystick. Over the last 6 months, she had experienced a decline in upper-extremity function that prevented effective operation of her standard joystick. She was now relying 100% on caregivers for power seat positioning and mobility.

Assessment and Control

Carole’s physical therapist requested an evaluation for an alternative drive control, specifically a sip-n-puff as the end user has limited head movement, eliminating head array as an option. SnP was trialed, but the end user was unable to maintain a seal on the straw. We moved onto a Precision Mini Proportional Joystick (PMPJ) mounted on a Stealth chin harness.

Equipment Trial

With minimal adjusting, programming, or instruction, the end user demonstrated the ability to operate a power wheelchair using the chin-mounted PMPJ during the first trial.

Initial Outcomes

Since the end user had seen functional and postural changes and the chair was approaching 5 years, it was decided to submit for an entirely new unit.

In the video, she is using a demo chair which lacks her normal postural supports, but on her first attempt at driving with a chin control. She picked up driving immediately, with some "facial contorting" as she described it. You can tell how happy she is by that big smile on the turn. Always great to be able to make an immediate improvement in someone's quality of life!

Clinical take away

This initial trial illustrates the value of assessing retained movement and trialing alternative access methods when a standard joystick is no longer functional.

Follow-up

Follow-up assessment is needed to determine consistency, comfort, fatigue, and performance with the individual’s prescribed seating and postural supports.

Sources

Case facts: supplied clinical notes dated April 3, 2026.
Product descriptions: official manufacturer resources below, accessed October 19, 2026.
[1] Stealth Products Precision Mini Proportional Joystick (PMPJ)
[2] Quantum Rehab product portfolio