Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 85, Issue 11 , Pages 1865-1871, November 2004

Impact of a pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchair on the metabolic demands, stroke frequency, and range of motion among subjects with tetraplegia

Presented in part to the RESNA 26th International Conference, June 21, 2003, Atlanta, GA.

  • S. David Algood, MS

      Affiliations

    • Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • Human Engineering Research Laboratories, VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare Systems, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • ,
  • Rory A. Cooper, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests to Rory A. Cooper, PhD, Human Engineering Research Laboratories (151-R1), VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, 7180 Highland Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
    • ,
  • Shirley G. Fitzgerald, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • Human Engineering Research Laboratories, VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare Systems, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • ,
  • Rosemarie Cooper, MPT, ATP

      Affiliations

    • Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • Human Engineering Research Laboratories, VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare Systems, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • ,
  • Michael L. Boninger, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • Human Engineering Research Laboratories, VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare Systems, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Abstract 

Algood SD, Cooper RA, Fitzgerald SG, Cooper R, Boninger ML. Impact of a pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchair on the metabolic demands, stroke frequency, and range of motion among subjects with tetraplegia. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:1865–71.

Objectives

To determine differences in metabolic demands, stroke frequency, and upper-extremity joint range of motion (ROM) during pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchair (PAPAW) propulsion and traditional manual wheelchair propulsion among subjects with tetraplegia.

Design

Repeated measures.

Setting

A biomechanics laboratory within a Veterans Affairs medical center.

Participants

Fifteen full-time manual wheelchair users who had sustained cervical-level spinal cord injuries.

Interventions

Participants propelled both their own manual wheelchairs and a PAPAW through 3 different resistances (slight, 10W; moderate, 12W; high, 14W) on a wheelchair dynamometer. Each propulsion trial was 3 minutes long.

Main outcome measures

Primary variables that were compared between the 2 wheelchairs were participants’ mean steady-state oxygen consumption, ventilation, heart rate, mean stroke frequency, and maximum upper-extremity joint ROM.

Results

When using the PAPAW, participants showed a significant (P<.05) decrease in mean oxygen consumption and ventilation throughout all trials. Mean heart rate was significantly lower when using the PAPAW for the high resistance trial. Stroke frequency was significantly lower when using the PAPAW for the slight and moderate resistances. Overall joint ROM was significantly lower when using the PAPAW.

Conclusions

For subjects with tetraplegia, PAPAWs reduce the energy demands, stroke frequency, and overall joint ROM when compared with traditional manual wheelchair propulsion.

Key Words:  Kinematics , Metabolism , Rehabilitation , Tetraplegia , Wheelchairs

 

 Supported in part by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (grant no. H133N000019), US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (grant no. H129E990004), and the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service (grant no. F2181C).

 No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the authors(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.

PII: S0003-9993(04)00655-0

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2004.04.043

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 85, Issue 11 , Pages 1865-1871, November 2004

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution