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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1977

Influence of floor surface on the energy cost of wheelchair propulsion.

Carpeting of the type commonly used in hospitals imposed a burden upon normal and patient wheelchair users propelling a wheelchair as reflected in increased energy cost per unit of distance traveled. Wheelchair propulsion also tended to produce high heart rates compared to values reported for normal walking. Pneumatic tires offered no advantage over hard rubber tires on the type of carpet used in this study. Wheelchair propulsion required more energy expenditure per minute than values reported for normal ambulation at the same velocity.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Work physiological studies performed to optimate the lever propulsion and the seat position of a lever propelled wheelchair (author's transl)].

Spiroergometric examination with defined work loads and permanent records of the common circulatory and metabolic values were carried out on a group of healthy adults and one wheelchair occupant, using a fixed wheelchair simulator with lever propulsion, which was connected to an ergometer. Comparative studies were performed in three different seat positions in relation to the lever, as well as six different lengths of the connecting rod. The best values were measured, under steadystate conditions, with increasing lengths of the connecting rod and posterior placement of the seat unit. The results are in agreement with the experience gained by other authors with respect to arm work, and show that the optimal efficiency of hand lever work is obtained in the anterior position. In this context it proved to be particularly advantageious from the ergonomic viewpoint, if, when bending forward, as necessitated by a long connecting rod, both the upper part of the body and the trunk musculature are employed. The practical consequences of the simulator tests on an adequate wheelchair design and wheelchair prescription are discussed.

Persons with Disabilities↗
PubMed1979

[Standard requirements for electric wheelchairs (author's transl)].

Electric Wheelchairs are driven on public roads. Neither an operating license, liability insurance nor special driving license is necessary according to Road Traffic and Road Licensing Regulations. Statutory regulations prescribe that these wheelchairs must be fitted with two independent brakes and adequate lighting equipment. Safety can be increased by: Totmann brake system - battery servicing - improved battery chargers and technical safety tests. Maintenance of the wheelchair prolongs its life. Social security agencies should allow a large number of the most severely handicapped people to benefit from medically prescribed wheelchairs.

Electricity↗
PubMed1979

Metabolic and cardiopulmonary responses to wheelchair and bicycle ergometry.

To evaluate wheelchair activity in reference to a more familiar mode of locomotion, metabolic and cardiopulmonary responses to wheelchair ergometer (WERG) and bicycle ergometer (BERG) exercise were compared. Eighteen able-bodies subjects were tested on a combination wheelchair-bicycle ergometer. Oxygen uptake (VO2), respiratory exchange ratio (R), pulmonary ventilation (VE), ventilatory equivalent (VE/VO2), percent net mechanical efficiency (ME), and heart rate (HR) were determined at power output (PO) levels of 30, 90, and 150 kpm/min on each ergometer. For WERG and BERG exercise, VO2, VE, and HR increased linearly with PO. Generally, VO2, R, VE, VE/VO2, and HR responses were higher (P less than 0.05) during WERG than BERG exercise at each PO. Blood lactate was determined after 150 kpm/min, and found to be higher (P less than 0.05) during WERG than BERG exercise. ME increased with PO and was lower (P less than 0.05) for WERG than BERG exercise at each PO level. The greater metabolic and cardiopulmonary responses observed during WERG exercise may be due to inefficient biomechanics and the relatively small upper body musculature used for propulsion.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

[The effects of wheelchair dependency on the self-concept (author's transl)].

The article studies the question whether the self-concept of wheelchair-bound people - as described in a personality questionnaire (Freiburg personality inventory) - differ from that of the non-disabled and other disability groups, and to what extent. The study was performed on 297 wheelchair-bound persons and corresponding reference samples. There was evidence that differences between these groups are existent. The way wheelchair-bound people describe themselves indicates mechanisms developed to compensate for reduced self-acceptance. Furthermore, the study results argue in favour of psychological training methods to be applied in the rehabilitation of this disability group and the development of appropriate measuring instruments.

Persons with Disabilities↗
PubMed1978

A system for clinically evaluating wheelchair pressure-relief cushions.

Pressure-related decubitus ulcers are a frequent disability and life-threatening complication in the management and rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injuries. This paper describes a system developed to quantitate and evaluate a patient's response to wheelchair pressure-relief cushions. Maximum pressure and the tissue pressure distribution on six varieties of wheelchair cushions were determined for a sample of 57 patients with a history of decubitus ulcers. Wide variations in (mean) maximum pressure were observed. However, even greater variations were found in the distribution (bony/soft tissue) of the pressure. These data demonstrate that no single cushion was clearly superior in relieving pressure for all patients. Therefore, individualization of wheelchair cushions for each patient may be essential in order to minimize the probability that the person will experience a tissue-pressure problem.

Equipment and Supplies, Hospital↗
PubMed1979

An exercise test to evaluate fitness for wheelchair activity.

The purpose of this study was to develop a wheelchair ergometer (WERG) test to evaluate fitness for manual wheelchair activity. Thirty able-bodied females participated in a progressive intensity, discontinuous test where exercise bouts were 4 min in duration interspersed with 5-min rest periods. Physiological responses of oxygen uptake (VO2), respiratory exchange ratio (R), net mechanical efficiency (ME), pulmonary ventilation (VO) and heart rate (HR) were determined during the final minute of exercise at power output (PO) levels of 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 kpm/min. These responses were generally found to be linearly related to PO, however, net ME initially increased with PO and plateaued at approximately 11 per cent at 90 kpm/min. Criteria for fitness evaluation were based upon: (1) magnitude of physiological responses at each PO level; and (2) the maximal PO level completed.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Delivery of wheelchairs to disabled children.

In a follow-up study from a children's wheelchair clinic the delivery times for 120 wheelchairs ordered during 1973--7 were analysed. Delivery delays were considerable: only 22 of the 120 chairs were delivered within one month and 69 within three months, while 21 took over six months to arrive. Factors such as the type of chair ordered, the need for modifications, and the centre handling the transaction did not influence delivery time. Administrative delays may be an important contributory factor.

Child↗
PubMed1975

[Result of a user inquiry for the improvement of hand propelled wheelchairs (author's transl)].

The contribution describes the results of an inquiry of handicapped wheelchair drivers which have been compiled by evaluating 3482 questionnaires with 268,144 informations using an IBM 1130 computer. Divided into "rim" and "lever" propulsion the driving quality, the manoeuvrability, the seat comfort, problems of driving mechanism and the transportation suitability as well as the wear of the vehicles are analysed. Finally some recommendations for the design of future wheelchair models are given on the basis of the observed drawbacks.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1979

Pressure distribution and skin temperature effect of the ROHO wheelchair balloon cushion.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the ROHO Balloon Wheelchair Cushion in distributing pressure on the skin over the ischial tuberosities in healthy subjects. Surface skin temperatures over the ischial tuberosities and thighs of the subjects were also measured. Pressure recordings were obtained by placing a pressure sensor between the wheelchair cushion and the skin overlying the ischial tuberosities. For comparison, pressures were recorded while the same subjects sat on a 4-inch foam cushion supported on a plywood board. Skin surface temperatures on the 2 cushions were recorded on separate occasions under the ischial tuberosity and the posterior thigh during a 30-minute test period. The results indicate no important difference in resting pressures when the subjects sat on either the 4-inch foam cushion or the balloon cushion. Neither was there an important difference in pressure when the cushion was inflated to greater than the manufacturer's recommendations or when it was covered with a commercially designed cover. The average increase in skin temperature over the tuberosity was 1.9C and over the thigh, 2.6C.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

The polystyrene vacuum wheelchair cushion.

A polystyrene bead vacuum wheelchair cushion has been tried with several patients with abnormal postural reflex activity. Excess spasticity can be reduced by this means and sitting comfort enhanced.

Humans↗
PubMed1979

Skeletal muscle analysis of wheelchair athletes.

The present study reports the results of using the biopsy technique with members of the Canadian Wheelchair Internation Team. The results demonstrate that these athletes possess muscles with large fibre areas than seen in Olympic athletes.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Contingent feedback for training children to propel their wheelchairs.

Three multiply handicapped children were taught self-movement of their wheelchairs. This behavior was established through the use of contingent reinforcement within 30-minute therapy sessions. When a high number of self-movement responses were obtained, the reinforcement was systematically withdrawn to allow the responses to come under the control of the natural environmental consequences.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Wheelchair user's shoulder? Shoulder pain in patients with spinal cord lesions.

A questionnaire was circulated to the 708 members of the Spinal Cord Injuries Association in 1976. The response rate was 79.5%. Over one half (51.4%) of the respondents suffered from shoulder pain, an incidence in excess of any age group in a control population derived from a general practitioner's register. The pain, which was related particularly to wheelchair usage and other attendant factors such as transfers, was in some instances clearly in the shoulder, whereas in others it was more likely to be cervical root pain. The implication of these findings are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

A classification of wheelchair seating.

Selecting a wheelchair cushion for a person with a physical disability can be confusing and difficult. Because many cushions are commercially available and because no single cushion will work for all patient categories, the therapist needs to be aware not only of the factors that influence the selection of the cushion such as patient activity level and lifestyle, but also of the differences that exist among all the cushions she or he might recommend.

Classification↗