Skip to main page content
Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2021 Oct 1;100(10):983-989.
doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001691.

Effect of Context-Dependent Modulation of Trunk Muscle Activity on Manual Wheelchair Propulsion

Stephanie Nogan Bailey  1 , Kevin M Foglyano, Nicholas F Bean, Ronald J Triolo
Affiliations

Effect of Context-Dependent Modulation of Trunk Muscle Activity on Manual Wheelchair Propulsion

Stephanie Nogan Bailey et al. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. .

Abstract

Objective: The aims of the study were to reliably determine the two main phases of manual wheelchair propulsion via a simple wearable sensor and to evaluate the effects of modulated trunk and hip stimulation on manual wheelchair propulsion during the challenging tasks of ramp assent and level sprint.

Design: An offline tool was created to identify common features between wrist acceleration signals for all subjects who corresponded to the transitions between the contact and recovery phases of manual wheelchair propulsion. For one individual, the acceleration rules and thresholds were implemented for real-time phase-change event detection and modulation of stimulation.

Results: When pushing with phase-dependent modulated stimulation, there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the primary speed variable (5%-6%) and the subject rated pushing as "moderately or very easy." In the offline analysis, the average phase-change event detection success rate was 79% at the end of contact and 71% at the end of recovery across the group.

Conclusions: Signals from simple, wrist-mounted accelerometers can detect the phase transitions during manual wheelchair propulsion instead of elaborate and expensive, instrumented systems. Appropriately timing changes in muscle activation with the propulsion cycle can result in a significant increase in speed, and the system was consistently perceived to be significantly easier to use.

Conflict of interest statement

Financial disclosure statements have been obtained, and no conflicts of interest have been reported by the authors or by any individuals in control of the content of this article.

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. Bussmann JBJ, Kikkert MA, Sluis TAR, et al.: Effect of wearing an activity monitor on the amount of daily manual wheelchair propulsion in persons with spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord 2009;48:128–33
    1. Finley M, Ebaugh D, Trojian T: Agreement of musculoskeletal ultrasound and clinical assessment of shoulder impairment in manual wheelchair users with various duration of spinal cord injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2018;99:615–22
    1. Brose SW, Boninger ML, Fullerton B, et al.: Shoulder ultrasound abnormalities, physical examination findings, and pain in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2008;89:2086–93
    1. Kovacs FM, Seco J, Royuela A, et al.: Prevalence and factors associated with a higher risk of neck and back pain among permanent wheelchair users: a cross-sectional study. Spinal Cord 2018;56:392–405
    1. Audu ML, Lombardo LM, Schnellenberger JR, et al.: A neuroprosthesis for control of seated balance after spinal cord injury. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2015;12:8

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources