From Reach to Visibility: The Functional Impact of ActiveHeight™

Prescribing power seat functions is often a key factor in the recommendation of a power wheelchair. Seat elevation has been available for many years, and as technology has advanced, so too has its functionality. Importantly, seat elevation systems can vary significantly between manufacturers and models.

At Permobil, seat elevation is known as ActiveHeight, available across our 3 and 5 Series chairs. This system features three points of contact and a 3.5” rearward shift during elevation, enhancing stability while maintaining a compact footprint. Unlike some systems, ActiveHeight retains suspension functionality even at full elevation—14” on the 5 Series and 12” on the 3 Series—allowing for a smooth ride at speeds up to 5.1km/h.
ActiveHeight offers significant clinical and functional benefits. In a world designed for standing, elevation can help reduce environmental barriers and support greater engagement in daily life. 

Clinical Benefits:

• Reduced strain and pain: Elevation decreases the shoulder and neck range of motion required to reach or interact at eye level, potentially reducing repetitive strain injuries. 
  
• Improved comfort during reaching: Less overhead movement is needed. This may help alleviate pain associated with reaching tasks. 
  
• Decreased cervical extension: Elevation reduces the need to look upward frequently, which may help manage neck discomfort. 
  
• Support for swallowing: Maintaining a more neutral head and neck position may positively influence swallowing function.
  

Functional Benefits:

• ActiveHeight increases a person’s functional reach. Including improving access for reaching into cupboards in the kitchen, wardrobe, laundry, and in the workplace, etc.
• Improved access in the community including navigating raised counters, tellers, accessing supermarket shelves etc. increasing participation in daily life.
• Improved visibility when crossing the street due to increased line of sight
• Achieving an optimal height for transfers.
• Improved access to locks, door handles, control panels in the home and work environment which are often at a raised position.
• Improved line of sight in busy environments such as concerts, markets and community gatherings.
• Reduced manual handling risks for family or carers.
  
  
  

Supporting Clinical Justification:

To assist in the prescription and justification of seat elevation   and other power seat functions, it is important to also consider what information, assessment, and evidence you may need for the funding body. Examples to consider as part of the clinical process may include (but not be limited to):

• Task analysis: Compare performance of key tasks with and without elevation.
• Outcome measures: Tools such as the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) or Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) can provide valuable insights.
• Modified Functional Reach Test: A useful, quantifiable measure to demonstrate changes in reach capacity.
• Combination of approaches: Using both qualitative and quantitative data strengthens justification.

While seat elevation has long been available, its potential impact on function, participation, and overall wellbeing should not be underestimated. Elevation is more than a feature—it’s a tool that can support meaningful engagement in everyday life.