Steering-by-leaning facilitates intuitive movement control and improved efficiency in manual wheelchairs
Abstract Background Manual wheelchair propulsion is widely accepted to be biomechanically inefficient, with a high prevalence of shoulder pain and injuries among users. Directional control during wheelchair movement is a major, yet largely overlooked source of energy loss: changing direction or main...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-023-01265-x |
| _version_ | 1797647427557130240 |
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| author | Reto Togni Roland Zemp Pleuni Kirch Stefan Plüss Riemer J. K. Vegter William R. Taylor |
| author_facet | Reto Togni Roland Zemp Pleuni Kirch Stefan Plüss Riemer J. K. Vegter William R. Taylor |
| author_sort | Reto Togni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Manual wheelchair propulsion is widely accepted to be biomechanically inefficient, with a high prevalence of shoulder pain and injuries among users. Directional control during wheelchair movement is a major, yet largely overlooked source of energy loss: changing direction or maintaining straightforward motion on tilted surfaces requires unilateral braking. This study evaluates the efficiency of a novel steering-by-leaning mechanism that guides wheelchair turning through upper body leaning. Methods 16 full-time wheelchair users and 15 able-bodied novices each completed 12 circuits of an adapted Illinois Agility Test-course that included tilted, straight, slalom, and 180° turning sections in a prototype wheelchair at a self-selected functional speed. Trials were alternated between conventional and steering-by-leaning modes while propulsion forces were recorded via instrumented wheelchair wheels. Time to completion, travelled distance, positive/negative power, and work done, were all calculated to allow comparison of the control modes using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results Substantial average energy reductions of 51% (able-bodied group) and 35% (wheelchair user group) to complete the task were observed when using the steering-by-leaning system. Simultaneously, able-bodied subjects were approximately 23% faster whereby completion times did not differ for wheelchair users. Participants in both groups wheeled some 10% further with the novel system. Differences were most pronounced during turning and on tilted surfaces where the steering-by-leaning system removed the need for braking for directional control. Conclusions Backrest-actuated steering systems on manual wheelchairs can make a meaningful contribution towards reducing shoulder usage while contributing to independent living. Optimisation of propulsion techniques could further improve functional outcomes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T15:16:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cd6dc183e0f645c2b449dd82a1af8f07 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1743-0003 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T15:16:12Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation |
| spelling | doaj.art-cd6dc183e0f645c2b449dd82a1af8f072023-10-29T12:16:54ZengBMCJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation1743-00032023-10-0120111310.1186/s12984-023-01265-xSteering-by-leaning facilitates intuitive movement control and improved efficiency in manual wheelchairsReto Togni0Roland Zemp1Pleuni Kirch2Stefan Plüss3Riemer J. K. Vegter4William R. Taylor5Laboratory for Movement Biomechanics, ETH ZürichLaboratory for Movement Biomechanics, ETH ZürichHuman Movement Sciences, University of GroningenLaboratory for Movement Biomechanics, ETH ZürichHuman Movement Sciences, University of GroningenLaboratory for Movement Biomechanics, ETH ZürichAbstract Background Manual wheelchair propulsion is widely accepted to be biomechanically inefficient, with a high prevalence of shoulder pain and injuries among users. Directional control during wheelchair movement is a major, yet largely overlooked source of energy loss: changing direction or maintaining straightforward motion on tilted surfaces requires unilateral braking. This study evaluates the efficiency of a novel steering-by-leaning mechanism that guides wheelchair turning through upper body leaning. Methods 16 full-time wheelchair users and 15 able-bodied novices each completed 12 circuits of an adapted Illinois Agility Test-course that included tilted, straight, slalom, and 180° turning sections in a prototype wheelchair at a self-selected functional speed. Trials were alternated between conventional and steering-by-leaning modes while propulsion forces were recorded via instrumented wheelchair wheels. Time to completion, travelled distance, positive/negative power, and work done, were all calculated to allow comparison of the control modes using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results Substantial average energy reductions of 51% (able-bodied group) and 35% (wheelchair user group) to complete the task were observed when using the steering-by-leaning system. Simultaneously, able-bodied subjects were approximately 23% faster whereby completion times did not differ for wheelchair users. Participants in both groups wheeled some 10% further with the novel system. Differences were most pronounced during turning and on tilted surfaces where the steering-by-leaning system removed the need for braking for directional control. Conclusions Backrest-actuated steering systems on manual wheelchairs can make a meaningful contribution towards reducing shoulder usage while contributing to independent living. Optimisation of propulsion techniques could further improve functional outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-023-01265-xManual wheelchair propulsionSteeringCross slopeTiltTurningAgility |
| spellingShingle | Reto Togni Roland Zemp Pleuni Kirch Stefan Plüss Riemer J. K. Vegter William R. Taylor Steering-by-leaning facilitates intuitive movement control and improved efficiency in manual wheelchairs Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation Manual wheelchair propulsion Steering Cross slope Tilt Turning Agility |
| title | Steering-by-leaning facilitates intuitive movement control and improved efficiency in manual wheelchairs |
| title_full | Steering-by-leaning facilitates intuitive movement control and improved efficiency in manual wheelchairs |
| title_fullStr | Steering-by-leaning facilitates intuitive movement control and improved efficiency in manual wheelchairs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Steering-by-leaning facilitates intuitive movement control and improved efficiency in manual wheelchairs |
| title_short | Steering-by-leaning facilitates intuitive movement control and improved efficiency in manual wheelchairs |
| title_sort | steering by leaning facilitates intuitive movement control and improved efficiency in manual wheelchairs |
| topic | Manual wheelchair propulsion Steering Cross slope Tilt Turning Agility |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-023-01265-x |
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