Considering Propulsion Pattern in Therapeutic Outcomes for Children Who Use Manual Wheelchairs.

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.