Increased Forward Lean Among Wheelchair Users With Use of a Dynamic Pelvic Stabilization Device
By Hurley, Seanna L., MS; Hayes, Amy M., PT, MS; Yamada, Denise A., ME; Siekman, Allen R., BA; Noon, Jamie H.; Axelson, Peter W., MSME; RESNA 26th International Annual Conference 2003,Publication Date: 2003
Study conducted to evaluate the HipGrip, which is a pelvic stabilization device for people who use wheelchairs that allows for functional and dynamic pelvic movement to occur while maintaining neutral pelvic positioning. Ten people participated in the study, six with spinal cord injury, and four with cerebral palsy. All of the participants used a wheelchair for their primary means of mobility, and experienced some difficulty maintaining pelvic positioning. The Functional Lean Test, which is a modification of the Functional Reach Test, was used to measure how far the participants could lean while reaching forward and maintaining the ability to return to their upright sitting position. For each trial, a baseline measurement of the acromion (the lateral triangular projection of the spine of the scapula that forms the point of the shoulder and articulates with the clavicle) was taken with the participant sitting in an upright position, and then a measurement was taken at the participant’s furthest forward lean position. Three forward trials were measured from both the left and right acromion for all participants. Seven of the ten participants achieved greater maximum forward lean using the HipGrip. One participant experienced no change, while two experienced decreased forward lean. Two of the three participants who did not experience an increase in forward lean had good leaning capabilities, while the other demonstrated no detectable movement from the baseline. The preliminary data suggests that the HipGrip will enhance upper body function in people who have difficulty maintaining pelvic stability while sitting in a wheelchair. Implications for further research are discussed.
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
