Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Determining and Controlling External Power Output During Regular Handrim Wheelchair Propulsion
Published on: February 5, 2020
Considering Propulsion Pattern in Therapeutic Outcomes for Children Who Use Manual Wheelchairs
Jacob R Rammer1, Joseph J Krzak, Brooke A Slavens
1Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Engineering Center (Drs Rammer and Slavens and Ms Riedel), Marquette University Department of Biomedical Engineering and Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Shriners Hospitals for Children (Drs Krzak, Slavens, and Harris), Chicago, Illinois; Physical Therapy Program (Dr Krzak), Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Illinois; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Dr Slavens), Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Biomedical Engineering (Dr Winters), Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Purpose:
Children who use manual wheelchairs encounter pain and injury risks to the upper body. Current literature does not describe how propulsion pattern and physiotherapeutic training methodologies impact response to treatment.
Methods:
This study assesses the effect of community-based intensive physical and occupational therapy on functional outcomes over a 7-week period in pediatric manual wheelchair users.
Results:
Key results include significant joint and musculotendon kinematic differences at the shoulder, improved speed and propulsion effectiveness, and changed propulsion pattern.
Conclusions:
Statistics also revealed that propulsion pattern was a predictor of response to therapy, as was weekly therapeutic duration, wheelchair-specific focus by the therapists, and stretching.
