Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of 2 manual wheelchair propulsion training
programs on handrim kinetics, contact angle, and stroke frequency collected
during overground propulsion. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial comparing handrim kinetics between 3 groups: a control group that received no training, an
instruction-only group that reviewed a multimedia presentation, and a feedback
group that reviewed the multimedia presentation and real-time visual feedback.
Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Full-time manual wheelchair users
(N=27) with spinal cord injury living in the Pittsburgh area. INTERVENTIONS:
Propulsion training was given 3 times over 3 weeks, and data were collected at
baseline, immediately after training, and at 3 months.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Contact angle, stroke frequency, peak resultant force, and peak rate of rise of
resultant force. RESULTS: Both feedback and instruction-only groups improved
their propulsion biomechanics across all surfaces (carpet, tile, and ramp) at
both target and self-selected speeds compared with the control group. While
controlling for velocity, both intervention groups showed long-term reductions in
the peak rate or rise of resultant force, stroke frequency, and increased contact
angle. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term wheelchair users in both intervention groups
significantly improved many aspects of their propulsion technique immediately
after training and 3 months from baseline. Furthermore, training with a low-cost
instructional video and slide presentation was an effective training tool alone.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS