Meiser MJ, McEwen IR. Lightweight and ultralight wheelchairs: propulsion and preferences of two young children with spina bifida. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2007 Fall;19(3):245-53.
PURPOSE: This study compared the influence of two wheelchair styles, an ultralight rigid frame and a lightweight folding frame, on preference and propulsion in young children with spina bifida.
PROCEDURE: Speed, distance, energy expenditure, and perceived exertion of two girls were studied in an A-B-A single subject design. Questionnaires were used after the three phases to obtain parent and child preference.
RESULTS: Visual inspection of the data favored the ultralight wheelchair for all variables, except the first child's speed with classmates and perceived exertion. Parents and children indicated preference for the ultralight wheelchair on all questions but one by Child 1. Using two standard deviation band width (2SDBW) analyses, 12 of 16 comparisons between the phases differed significantly. 2SDBW comparison was not used in the other four phase comparisons because of autocorrelations.
CONCLUSION: This study presents initial evidence supporting the use of ultralight rigid-framed wheelchairs by young children.
PMID: 17700354
Showing posts with label Wheelchair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wheelchair. Show all posts
Friday, September 19, 2008
Wheelchair propulsion demands during outdoor community ambulation
Wendy J. Hurd, Melissa M.B. Morrow, Kenton R. Kaufman, Kai-Nan An Wheelchair propulsion demands during outdoor community ambulation Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, . 2008 Jun 28.
Abstract
Objective: Quantify manual wheelchair propulsion effort during outdoor community ambulation.
Design: Case series.
Subjects: Thirteen individuals (12 with SCI, 1 with spina bifida) who were experienced manual wheelchair users and had no current upper extremity injury or pain complaints.
Methods: Measurements were obtained from instrumented wheelchair rims during steady-state propulsion as subjects traversed outdoor concrete sidewalk terrain that included smooth level, aggregate level, and a ramp with a smooth surface. Propulsion effort was assessed using the average propulsion moment, average instantaneous power, and work for both upper extremities.
Results: Propulsion effort, captured by the propulsion moment, work and power, varied across ground conditions (p < 0.001). Propulsion effort was greater as the rolling resistance increased (i.e., smooth versus aggregate surfaces) and as the inclination angle progressed from level to inclined surfaces. There were no side-to-side differences across ground conditions for the propulsion moment or work. Power generation was significantly greater on the dominant compared to the non-dominant extremity during the more challenging aggregate surface and ramp conditions.
Conclusions: Propulsion effort varies with demands imposed by different ground conditions. Quantification of wheelchair propulsion demands provides rehabilitations specialists with objective information to guide treatment of patients adapting to manual wheelchair use.
Keywords: Wheelchair; Propulsion; Mobility; Rehabilitation; Biomechanics
PMID: 18590967
Abstract
Objective: Quantify manual wheelchair propulsion effort during outdoor community ambulation.
Design: Case series.
Subjects: Thirteen individuals (12 with SCI, 1 with spina bifida) who were experienced manual wheelchair users and had no current upper extremity injury or pain complaints.
Methods: Measurements were obtained from instrumented wheelchair rims during steady-state propulsion as subjects traversed outdoor concrete sidewalk terrain that included smooth level, aggregate level, and a ramp with a smooth surface. Propulsion effort was assessed using the average propulsion moment, average instantaneous power, and work for both upper extremities.
Results: Propulsion effort, captured by the propulsion moment, work and power, varied across ground conditions (p < 0.001). Propulsion effort was greater as the rolling resistance increased (i.e., smooth versus aggregate surfaces) and as the inclination angle progressed from level to inclined surfaces. There were no side-to-side differences across ground conditions for the propulsion moment or work. Power generation was significantly greater on the dominant compared to the non-dominant extremity during the more challenging aggregate surface and ramp conditions.
Conclusions: Propulsion effort varies with demands imposed by different ground conditions. Quantification of wheelchair propulsion demands provides rehabilitations specialists with objective information to guide treatment of patients adapting to manual wheelchair use.
Keywords: Wheelchair; Propulsion; Mobility; Rehabilitation; Biomechanics
PMID: 18590967
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