The Relationships Between Muscle Weakness, Wheelchair Propulsion Technique and Upper Extremity Demand

The Relationships Between Muscle Weakness, Wheelchair Propulsion Technique and Upper Extremity Demand PDF Author: Jonathan Steven Slowik
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 198

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Book Description
There are millions of individuals throughout the world that rely on manual wheelchair propulsion as their primary method of mobility. Due to the considerable physical demand of wheelchair propulsion, these individuals are at an increased risk of developing upper extremity pain and injuries that can lead to a progressive decline in independence and quality of life. The overall goal of this research was to use a combination of experimental analyses and forward dynamics simulation techniques to gain an increased understanding of the relationships between muscle weakness, wheelchair propulsion technique and upper extremity demand. In the first study, a set of simulations was used to investigate the compensatory mechanisms that result from weakness in specific muscle groups. The simulation results suggested that the upper extremity musculature is robust to weakness in individual muscle groups as other muscles were able to compensate and restore normal propulsion mechanics. However, high stress levels and potentially harmful shifts in power generated by the rotator cuff muscles were observed. Such overuse could lead to the development of pain and injury in these muscles, suggesting that rehabilitation programs should target strengthening these muscles. In the second study, a set of objective quantitative parameters was developed to characterize kinematic hand patterns and assess the influence of propulsion speed and grade of incline on the patterns preferred by a group of 170 experienced manual wheelchair users. Increased propulsion speed resulted in a shift away from under-rim hand patterns while increased grade resulted in the hand remaining near the handrim throughout the propulsion cycle. These results identified how individuals modify their hand patterns in response to different propulsion conditions encountered in daily activities. In the third study, simulations of four commonly observed hand pattern types were generated. The simulations revealed the double loop and semi-circular patterns had the lowest overall muscle stress and total muscle power, suggesting that these hand patterns may reduce upper extremity demand. Together, the results of these studies have provided a scientific basis for designing rehabilitation and training programs aimed at reducing the prevalence of upper extremity injury and pain among individuals who use manual wheelchairs.

The Relationships Between Muscle Weakness, Wheelchair Propulsion Technique and Upper Extremity Demand

The Relationships Between Muscle Weakness, Wheelchair Propulsion Technique and Upper Extremity Demand PDF Author: Jonathan Steven Slowik
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 198

Get Book Here

Book Description
There are millions of individuals throughout the world that rely on manual wheelchair propulsion as their primary method of mobility. Due to the considerable physical demand of wheelchair propulsion, these individuals are at an increased risk of developing upper extremity pain and injuries that can lead to a progressive decline in independence and quality of life. The overall goal of this research was to use a combination of experimental analyses and forward dynamics simulation techniques to gain an increased understanding of the relationships between muscle weakness, wheelchair propulsion technique and upper extremity demand. In the first study, a set of simulations was used to investigate the compensatory mechanisms that result from weakness in specific muscle groups. The simulation results suggested that the upper extremity musculature is robust to weakness in individual muscle groups as other muscles were able to compensate and restore normal propulsion mechanics. However, high stress levels and potentially harmful shifts in power generated by the rotator cuff muscles were observed. Such overuse could lead to the development of pain and injury in these muscles, suggesting that rehabilitation programs should target strengthening these muscles. In the second study, a set of objective quantitative parameters was developed to characterize kinematic hand patterns and assess the influence of propulsion speed and grade of incline on the patterns preferred by a group of 170 experienced manual wheelchair users. Increased propulsion speed resulted in a shift away from under-rim hand patterns while increased grade resulted in the hand remaining near the handrim throughout the propulsion cycle. These results identified how individuals modify their hand patterns in response to different propulsion conditions encountered in daily activities. In the third study, simulations of four commonly observed hand pattern types were generated. The simulations revealed the double loop and semi-circular patterns had the lowest overall muscle stress and total muscle power, suggesting that these hand patterns may reduce upper extremity demand. Together, the results of these studies have provided a scientific basis for designing rehabilitation and training programs aimed at reducing the prevalence of upper extremity injury and pain among individuals who use manual wheelchairs.

The Influence of Altering Wheelchair Propulsion Technique on Upper Extremity Demand

The Influence of Altering Wheelchair Propulsion Technique on Upper Extremity Demand PDF Author: Jeffery Wade Rankin
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
Most manual wheelchair users will experience upper extremity injury and pain during their lifetime, which can be partly attributed to the high load requirements, repetitive motions and extreme joint postures required during wheelchair propulsion. Recent efforts have attempted to determine how different propulsion techniques influence upper extremity demand using broad measures of demand (e.g., metabolic cost). However studies using more specific measures (e.g., muscle stress), have greater potential to determine how altering propulsion technique influences demand. The goal of this research was to use a musculoskeletal model with forward dynamics simulations of wheelchair propulsion to determine how altering propulsion technique influences muscle demand. Three studies were performed to achieve this goal. In the first study, a wheelchair propulsion simulation was used with a segment power analysis to identify muscle functional roles. The analysis showed that muscles contributed to either the push (i.e. delivering handrim power) or recovery (i.e. repositioning the hand) subtasks, with the transition period between the subtasks requiring high muscle co-contraction. The high co-contraction suggests that future studies focused on altering transition period biomechanics may have the greatest potential to reduce upper extremity demand. The second study investigated how changing the fraction effective force (i.e. the ratio of the tangential to total handrim force, FEF) influenced muscle demand. Simulations maximizing and minimizing FEF both had higher muscle work and stress relative to the nominal simulation. Therefore, the optimal FEF value appears to balance increasing FEF with minimizing upper extremity demand and care should be taken when using FEF to reduce demand. In the third study, simulations of biofeedback trials were used to determine the influence of cadence, push angle and peak handrim force on muscle demand. Although minimizing peak force had the lowest total muscle stress, individual stresses of many muscles were>20% and the simulation had the highest cadence, suggesting that this variable may not reduce demand. Instead minimizing cadence may be most effective, which had the lowest total muscle work and slowest cadence. These results have important implications for designing effective rehabilitation strategies that can reduce upper extremity injury and pain among manual wheelchair users.

The Promise of Assistive Technology to Enhance Activity and Work Participation

The Promise of Assistive Technology to Enhance Activity and Work Participation PDF Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 030945784X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 503

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Book Description
The U.S. Census Bureau has reported that 56.7 million Americans had some type of disability in 2010, which represents 18.7 percent of the civilian noninstitutionalized population included in the 2010 Survey of Income and Program Participation. The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. As of December 2015, approximately 11 million individuals were SSDI beneficiaries, and about 8 million were SSI beneficiaries. SSA currently considers assistive devices in the nonmedical and medical areas of its program guidelines. During determinations of substantial gainful activity and income eligibility for SSI benefits, the reasonable cost of items, devices, or services applicants need to enable them to work with their impairment is subtracted from eligible earnings, even if those items or services are used for activities of daily living in addition to work. In addition, SSA considers assistive devices in its medical disability determination process and assessment of work capacity. The Promise of Assistive Technology to Enhance Activity and Work Participation provides an analysis of selected assistive products and technologies, including wheeled and seated mobility devices, upper-extremity prostheses, and products and technologies selected by the committee that pertain to hearing and to communication and speech in adults.

Wheelchair Selection and Configuration

Wheelchair Selection and Configuration PDF Author: Dr. Rory Cooper, PhD
Publisher: Demos Medical
ISBN: 9781888799187
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 464

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Book Description
This is the definitive text for everyone concerned with wheelchair selection, including physical and occupational therapists, physiatrists, and other health care providers involved with helping patients to achieve optimal seating. Chapters discuss wheelchair measurement, engineering fundamentals, biomechanics, electronics, and standards. Various types of wheelchairs are considered, including manual, powered, specialized, and sports chairs the selection of seat cushions and specialized seating systems are considered in depth, and assessment and intervention are reviewed. The audience for this book includes undergraduate and graduate students studying occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation science, and rehabilitation engineering. It also is a suitable reference for professionals in engineering and the health professions. It assumes that the reader has a working knowledge of human anatomy, human physiology, and physics. Some exposure to clinical practice also is beneficial. Each chapter opens with a set of goals that orient the reader to the material covered. For example, the goals of the chapter Wheelchair Engineering Fundamentals are: To understand mechanical and material properties To understand the relationship between technology and its environment To know how to problem-solve and integrate technical and functional information To understand the roles, constraints, and perspectives of designers and fabricators Extensive illustrations guide the reader through all concepts of wheelchair design and prescription. "

Locomotor Training

Locomotor Training PDF Author: Susan J. Harkema
Publisher:
ISBN: 0195342089
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 200

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Book Description
Physical rehabilitation for walking recovery after spinal cord injury is undergoing a paradigm shift. Therapy historically has focused on compensation for sensorimotor deficits after SCI using wheelchairs and bracing to achieve mobility. With locomotor training, the aim is to promote recovery via activation of the neuromuscular system below the level of the lesion. What basic scientists have shown us as the potential of the nervous system for plasticity, to learn, even after injury is being translated into a rehabilitation strategy by taking advantage of the intrinsic biology of the central nervous system. While spinal cord injury from basic and clinical perspectives was the gateway for developing locomotor training, its application has been extended to other populations with neurologic dysfunction resulting in loss of walking or walking disability.

Wheelchair Skills Assessment and Training

Wheelchair Skills Assessment and Training PDF Author: R. Lee Kirby
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1498738826
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 443

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Book Description
This book provides a wide spectrum of readers with comprehensive but easily understandable protocols for the assessment and training of wheelchair skills. The Wheelchair Research Team at Dalhousie University and the Capital District Health Authority in Halifax (lead by the author) have focused on wheelchair safety and performance for three decades, as exemplified through the Wheelchair Skills Program. This is considered the top such program in the world. This new book is largely based on this program which has been accessed and utilized by over 75,000 people in 177 countries since 2007.

Arthrogryposis

Arthrogryposis PDF Author: Lynn T. Staheli
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521571067
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 302

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Book Description
The term arthrogryposis describes a range of congenital contractures that lead to childhood deformities. It encompasses a number of syndromes and sporadic deformities that are rare individually but collectively are not uncommon. Yet, the existing medical literature on arthrogryposis is sparse and often confusing. The aim of this book is to provide individuals affected with arthrogryposis, their families, and health care professionals with a helpful guide to better understand the condition and its therapy. With this goal in mind, the editors have taken great care to ensure that the presentation of complex clinical information is at once scientifically accurate, patient oriented, and accessible to readers without a medical background. The book is authored primarily by members of the medical staff of the Arthrogryposis Clinic at Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, one of the leading teams in the management of the condition, and will be an invaluable resource for both health care professionals and families of affected individuals.

The Pediatric Upper Extremity

The Pediatric Upper Extremity PDF Author: Joshua M. Abzug
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9781461485131
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Sub-specialization within pediatric orthopedics is growing, in part due to the development of free-standing children's hospitals and the desire by patients and their parents to have "experts" care for them. We are at the forefront of a trend in physicians classifying themselves as pediatric upper extremity surgeons. Numerous pediatric hospitals now have or are recruiting physicians to focus their practice in this area. Historically, these issues were treated by general orthopedic surgeons, adult hand surgeons, pediatric orthopedic surgeons, or plastic surgeons. However, none of these professionals treat the entirety of pediatric upper extremity pathology, and no single reference has focused on the treatment of the pediatric upper extremity as a whole. For example, fractures have typically been written about in pediatric textbooks, while tendon and nerve injuries are covered in adult hand textbooks. This textbook is a comprehensive, illustrated reference that discusses all aspects of the pediatric upper extremity, from embryology and functional development to nerve injuries, trauma, tumors, burns, sports injuries and more.

Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida PDF Author: M. Memet Özek
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 8847006511
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 523

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Book Description
The aim of this book to promote a multidisciplinary approach to Spina Bifida, providing the three main specialists categories involved – neurosurgeon, orthopedic surgeons, and urologists – with a concise reference that explains the main clinical problems to be faced in everyday clinical practice. The book also provides the busy specialist with an updated overview of surgical approaches.

Hand Function

Hand Function PDF Author: Mehmet Tuncay Duruöz
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461494494
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 252

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Book Description
Accurate assessment of hand function is critical to any treatment regimen of the hand compromised patient. Hand Function is a practical, clinical book which provides the knowledge needed to distinguish the different dimensions of hand function, particularly impairment, disability and handicap. Beginning with an overview of basic principles and examination, subsequent chapters evaluate the hand function in specific afflicted populations, including the rheumatoid patient, the stroke patient, the trauma patient, the geriatric patient and the pediatric patient, as well as special populations such as diabetes mellitus patients and musicians. An appendix containing hand function scales essential to the assessment of disability is also included. Rheumatologists, physiatrists, hand surgeons, orthopedists, occupational therapists and physical therapists will all find Hand Function a useful and valuable addition to their clinical references.