Development of Custom Measurement System for Biomechanical Evaluation of Independent Wheelchair Transfers
By Koontz, Alicia M.; Lin, Yen-Sheng; Kankipati, Padmaja; Boninger, Michael L.; Cooper, Rory A.; Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Volume 48, Number 8, pages 1015-1028Publication Date: 2011
Study describes a new custom measurement system designed to investigate the biomechanics of sitting-pivot wheelchair transfers and assesses the reliability of selected biomechanical variables. Participants were 5 individuals with spinal cord injury and a mean age of 40.2 years and 12 individuals without disabilities and with a mean age of 27.1 years. Variables assessed include horizontal and vertical reaction forces underneath both hands and three-dimensional trunk, shoulder, and elbow range of motion. The reliability of these measures was examined between 5 consecutive transfer trials for the participants while they performed a self-selected sitting-pivot transfer from a wheelchair to a level bench. A majority of the biomechanical variables demonstrated moderate to excellent reliability. The transfer measurement system recorded reliable and valid biomechanical data for future studies of sitting-pivot wheelchair transfer. A minimum of 5 pivot transfers is recommended to obtain a reliable measure of transfer technique for future studies.
Published by:
VA Rehabilitation Research & Development Service (Web Site: http://www.rehab.research.va.gov )
Link to text: http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/11/488/koontz488.html
