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Published on: February 5, 2020
Manual wheelchair propulsion pattern use by people with multiple sclerosis
Riccardo Verza1, Mario Alberto Battaglia, Michele Messmer Uccelli
1Department of Occupational Therapy, Italian MS Society Rehabilitation Centre, Padua, Italy.
Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology
|February 6, 2010
Summary
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly use the inefficient arcing manual wheelchair propulsion pattern. Factors like trunk stability or range of motion do not influence this choice, possibly indicating an energy conservation strategy.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Neurology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) frequently impacts mobility, necessitating manual wheelchair use.
- Understanding wheelchair propulsion patterns is crucial for optimizing user efficiency and managing fatigue in individuals with MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the most prevalent manual wheelchair propulsion pattern among individuals with MS.
- To investigate factors influencing the selection of a specific propulsion pattern.
Main Methods:
- Sixty manual wheelchair users with MS were evaluated.
- Assessed factors included upper limb range of motion, trunk stability, demographics, disease characteristics, and wheelchair use history.
Main Results:
- 90% of participants utilized the arcing propulsion pattern, identified as less efficient in literature.
- No significant correlation was found between upper limb range of motion, trunk stability, or demographic/disease factors and propulsion pattern preference.
Conclusions:
- The arcing propulsion pattern is the most common among individuals with MS, despite its inefficiency.
- This pattern may represent an energy conservation strategy to manage fatigue, characterized by smaller movements and increased repetition.
