University of Illinois Study Reveals 98 Percent of Wheelchair Users Face Debilitating Fear of Falling

University of Illinois researchers develop the iROLL app to combat the nearly universal fear of falling among wheelchair and scooter users.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 7:46 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau

The Psychological and Physical Toll of Mobility Insecurity

Research led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has uncovered a staggering statistic: over 98 percent of adults who utilize wheelchairs or scooters experience significant anxiety regarding falls. This pervasive fear often triggers a "vicious cycle" of disability, where users avoid essential physical and social activities to mitigate risk, according to Professor Laura A. Rice. This avoidance leads to rapid physical deconditioning, secondary health complications, and a measurable decline in mental performance. The study emphasizes that simply providing a mobility device is insufficient if the user lacks the confidence or technical skill to operate it safely in diverse environments.

Developing Specialized Metrics for Wheelchair Safety

To address the lack of relevant diagnostic tools, the research team created the "Fall Concerns Scale for People who Use Wheelchairs and Scooters." Professor Rice noted that traditional fall risk assessments often include activities irrelevant to seated mobility, frequently resulting in underreported risks. By contrast, this new scale offers a nuanced analysis of concerns across various daily activities. During the study of 137 full-time device users, the team found that 68 percent had sustained a fall-related injury within the previous year, highlighting a critical disconnect between the prevalence of accidents and the availability of specialized preventative care.

Demographic Trends and Risk Factors in Mobility Device Users

The study’s findings challenged traditional assumptions regarding which demographics are most affected by fall-related anxiety. Unlike general population studies where older adults report the highest levels of fear, this research found that younger males often experienced the most trepidation. Researchers suggest this may be due to a tendency toward riskier activities or a lack of formal training compared to more experienced users. Additionally, individuals who struggled to return to their chairs from the ground unassisted or those suffering from dizziness-related impairments reported the highest levels of apprehension.