MedPath

Effect of Seat Height and Angle on Wheelchair Foot Propulsion

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Healthy
Interventions
Other: Seat height
Other: Seat inclination
Registration Number
NCT06035484
Lead Sponsor
University of Manitoba
Brief Summary

The purpose of the project is to explore the effect of differences in seat height and seat angle on bilateral foot propulsion using a manual wheelchair. The objectives of the study are to determine whether differences in seat height and seat angle impact: a) propulsion speed; b) knee range of motion used during propulsion; c) effectiveness of foot propulsion gait; and d) perceived difficulty with foot propulsion.

A repeated measures designs allows comparison between 5 different seat height conditions and 4 different seat angle conditions to determine whether there are significant differences in outcome, and if so, which conditions provide better outcomes. Participants will propel a customized MWC through a standardized course using each seat configuration; the sequence will be randomized to reduce any learning effects.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
31
Inclusion Criteria
  • student in College of Rehabilitation Sciences enrolled in Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Physical Therapy, or Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy program at the University of Manitoba.
  • Able-bodied individuals
Exclusion Criteria
  • Students whose hip width exceeds 21 inches or lower leg length is shorter than 16 inches will be excluded as the test manual wheelchair will not accommodate these dimensions.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
LL & 0Seat inclinationWheelchair seat height will be positioned at lower leg length and set inclination will be zero
LL + 1Seat heightWheelchair seat height will be positioned at the participant's leg length plus one inch with an inclination of zero
LL & 0Seat heightWheelchair seat height will be positioned at lower leg length and set inclination will be zero
LL - 1Seat heightWheelchair seat height will be positioned at the participant's leg length minus one inch with an inclination of zero
LL - 2Seat heightWheelchair seat height will be positioned at the participant's leg length minus two inches with an inclination of zero
LL - 3Seat heightWheelchair seat height will be positioned at the participant's leg length minus three inches with an inclination of zero
3 degrees InclinationSeat inclinationWheelchair seat height will be positioned at the participant's leg length with a forward seat inclination of 3 degrees
6 degrees InclinationSeat inclinationWheelchair seat height will be positioned at the participant's leg length with a forward seat inclination of 6 degrees
9 degrees InclinationSeat inclinationWheelchair seat height will be positioned at the participant's leg length with a forward seat inclination of 9 degrees
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Effectiveness of foot propulsion gait~30-60 seconds

Evaluated using the Wheelchair Propulsion Test developed by Askari et al. (2013). Simple, valid and reliable measure of propulsion for either upper or lower extremity propulsion techniques.

Perceived difficulty with foot propulsion~30-60 seconds

Participant will provide subjective evaluations of how difficult they found foot propulsion after each trial, using Perceived Difficulty Questionnaire (Heinrichs et al., 2021).

Propulsion speed~30-60 seconds

Speed will be determined via video recording. Two outcomes will be determined initial 10m and total test course

Knee range of motion~30-60 seconds

Xsens sensors and mobile app will be used to determine the positions of the thigh and lower leg and knee joint angle will be obtained from the difference between these positions.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Manitoba

🇨🇦

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

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