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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
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Determining and Controlling External Power Output During Regular Handrim Wheelchair Propulsion
Published on: February 5, 2020
Stroke pattern classification during manual wheelchair propulsion in the elderly using fuzzy clustering
Rachid Aissaoui1, Guillaume Desroches
1Laboratoire de Recherche en Imagerie et Orthopédie, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montréal (CHUM), Notre-Dame, Pavillon J.A. de Sève, #Y-1614, 1560 Sherbrooke Est, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2L 4M1. rachid.aissaoui@etsmtl.ca
Journal of Biomechanics
|July 8, 2008
Summary
This study analyzed elderly manual wheelchair propulsion patterns using a novel objective method. Findings reveal distinct propulsion classes, aiding tailored rehabilitation programs for improved biomechanical effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Rehabilitation Science
- Gerontology
Background:
- Manual wheelchair propulsion is crucial for mobility in the elderly.
- Understanding propulsion kinematics is key to optimizing assistive device use and rehabilitation.
- Current methods for analyzing wheelchair propulsion may lack objectivity or detailed kinematic insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the kinematic patterns of elderly individuals during manual wheelchair propulsion.
- To introduce a novel objective method for quantifying wheelchair propulsion.
- To classify propulsion patterns and investigate their relationship with biomechanical effectiveness and posture.
Main Methods:
- Fourteen elderly participants propelled a manual wheelchair on an ergometer.
- A new objective method analyzed the contour of the hand's center of mass using metrical and topological features.
- Geometric mapping transformed time-hand trajectories into normalized features (R1 and R2).
- Fuzzy clustering classified propulsion patterns based on R1 and R2 features.
Main Results:
- Four distinct wheelchair propulsion patterns were identified using fuzzy clustering.
- Significant differences in the fraction of effective force and biomechanical effectiveness were observed between these classes.
- Propulsion patterns were found to be posture-dependent.
Conclusions:
- The proposed objective method effectively classifies elderly manual wheelchair propulsion patterns.
- Identified propulsion patterns and their link to biomechanical effectiveness offer insights for personalized rehabilitation.
- Posture-dependent classification can inform the development of targeted rehabilitation programs for diverse patient groups.
