Engineering Better Wheelchairs to Enhance Community Participation

Cooper, Rory A.; Boninger, Michael L.; Spaeth, Donald M.; Ding, Dan; Guo, Songfeng; Koontz, Alicia M; Fitzgerald, Shirley G.; Kelleher, Annmarie; Collins, Diane

doi:10.1109/tnsre.2006.888382

Cited by 63 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 112 publications

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“…Exposure to high loads and repeated low loads has been linked to muscle fatigue [7], back injury [8][9], and neck pain [10]. Consequently, shocks and vibrations experienced during manual wheelchair propulsion can decrease an individual's comfort [11], increase his or her rate of fatigue [3], and limit his or her activity and participation [12]. Only recently has systematic research investigated wheelchair mobility with regard to exposure to shocks (single-impact events) and vibrations (low-magnitude repeated bumps) [3][4][5][6]13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of rear suspension and speed on seat forces and head accelerations experienced by manual wheelchair riders with spinal cord injury

Requejo

Kerdanyan²,

Minkel³

et al. 2008

JRRD

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Abstract-Whole-body shocks and vibrations experienced during manual wheelchair use can decrease an individual's comfort, increase the rate of fatigue, result in injury, and consequently limit mobility and community participation. We used a wheelchairvibration simulator to examine whether the seat reaction forces experienced by wheelchair users were differentially influenced by wheelchair suspension, trunk-muscle innervations, and ground speed. We used wheelchairs instrumented with load cells and accelerometers to determine the forces transmitted from the seat frame and the head accelerations experienced by riders. We determined that self-selected speed, seat force, and head accelerations differed between subjects with and without trunk-muscle innervations and between rigid and suspension wheelchairs. Seat force and head accelerations were greatest in the rigid-frame wheelchair and lowest in the spring-type suspension-frame wheelchairs. Those participants without trunk-muscle innervations preferred slower speeds than those with trunk-muscle innervations. Forward head accelerations were greater in those without than with trunk-muscle innervations. Wheelchair rear-suspension systems may improve wheelchair mobility function in terms of comfort at higher velocity by minimizing the seat forces and head accelerations experienced by the riders, especially those with higher level spinal cord injury and diminished postural control.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of rear suspension and speed on seat forces and head accelerations experienced by manual wheelchair riders with spinal cord injury

Requejo

Kerdanyan²,

Minkel³

et al. 2008

JRRD

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Moreover clinical picture of disorders resulting from improper wheelchair fi tting may change depends on the clinical status of the patient, place of lesion, functional possibilities, life style, age, etc. No doubt there is need to explore more varieties of treating for other cases (Mikołajewska & Mikołajewski, 2010;Gaal et al, 1997;Cooper et al, 2006). Contemporary approach in presented area may be insuffi cient.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Harmful results of improper fitted wheelchair – case study

Mikołajewska

2017

JMS

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Wheelchair is perceived basic orthopaedic equipment, both for permanent and temporary use. Proper wheelchair fitting, and correct education of both medical staff, patients, and their families/caregivers may influence increased awareness of threats, limitations, and results of incorrect patient’s positioning in wheelchair. Basic knowledge and experience may significantly reduce consequences in aformentioned area, and influence to shorter and more effective therapeutic process. Aim of this paper is to discuss possible problems resulting from improper wheelchair fitting on the basis of presented case study, explore the relationship between improper wheelchair fitting and limitations of wheelchair users independence, mobility, and life quality based on own experience and propose solutiopna and direstions of further research.

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“…Subbarao et al (20) recommended that alternative methods for wheelchair propulsion be developed for people with SCI to diminish the incidence of chronic upper limb pain, and several studies (29)(30)(31)(32) have looked at wheelchair modifications as a way of decreasing or preventing functional declines. A common feature of wheelchairs has been the handrim (also called the pushrim) used to self-propel the wheelchair.…”

Section: Wheelchair Propulsionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Natural-Fit Handrim: Factors Related To Improvement In Symptoms And Function In Wheelchair Users

Dieruf

Ewer

Boninger

2008

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine

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Background/Objective: People with spinal cord injury (SCI) may spend several decades using a wheelchair as their primary means of mobility. Secondary injury and a decline in independence over time are common with manual wheelchair users who, in turn, may require increased assistance as time passes. The Natural-Fit contoured handrim has been shown to improve symptoms and function in people with SCI who use manual wheelchairs and who have experienced upper extremity pain. The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with improved symptoms and functions. Participants: 87 people who purchased the ergonomic wheelchair handrims. Participants were predominately men, with a median age of 51 to 55 years, median level of injury T10 to T12, median time in a wheelchair of 15 years, and they had used the contoured rims for 1 to 2 years. Methods: This was a mail survey of 217 people who purchased the rims. The survey was mailed out from the manufacturer and was anonymously returned to the physical therapy department of a university. A $10 incentive was offered for returning the survey. Results: The majority of participants reported improvements in upper extremity symptoms, ease of wheelchair propulsion, and functional status. Longer use of the rims was associated with reported improvement in ease of wheelchair propulsion and reduction in pain in hands and wrists. Conclusion: If a simple modification of the wheelchair can help bring about significant changes in the users' symptoms and function, this modification should be incorporated by people who use manual wheelchairs before decline in function begins. Proactive intervention may alleviate symptoms, help the person maintain maximal independence, and prolong the length of time the individual remains independent.

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Engineering Better Wheelchairs to Enhance Community Participation

Cited by 63 publications

References 112 publications

Effect of rear suspension and speed on seat forces and head accelerations experienced by manual wheelchair riders with spinal cord injury

Effect of rear suspension and speed on seat forces and head accelerations experienced by manual wheelchair riders with spinal cord injury

Harmful results of improper fitted wheelchair – case study

The Natural-Fit Handrim: Factors Related To Improvement In Symptoms And Function In Wheelchair Users

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