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Silva DC, Paschoarelli LC, Medola FO. Evaluation of two wheelchair hand rim models: contact pressure distribution in straight line and curve trajectories. ERGONOMICS 2019; 62:1563-1571. [PMID: 31446854 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2019.1660000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Manual wheelchairs are essential for people with disabilities or limited mobility. However, manual propulsion causes biomechanical loads, including contact pressures on the palms of the hands. The hand rim design has received little attention over time, remaining almost unchanged since its creation. This study investigated how two different designs of such devices - one standard and another with a contoured design - influence the contact pressure on the surface of the hands. The procedures included a figure-of-eight shape propulsion task on a regular floor, using both models on a wheelchair. A pressure-mapping system coupled with a pair of fabric gloves recorded the data. The results show that the contoured hand rim provides lower pressure in most of the analysed regions. Considering that manual propulsion is performed during a considerable part of the day as a routine activity, improving the hand rim interface may benefit the user's comfort and safety during wheelchair use. Practitioner summary: The design of the hand rim used in wheelchair propulsion influences the contact pressure on the hands. Conventional round tube rims tend to concentrate high levels of pressure on the distal phalanges and metacarpal regions. A contoured design generally provides better stability and promotes the distribution of pressure. Abbreviations: AT: assistive technology; kPa: kilopascal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Corrêa Silva
- São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Architecture, Arts and Communication , Bauru , Brazil
| | - Luis Carlos Paschoarelli
- São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Architecture, Arts and Communication , Bauru , Brazil
| | - Fausto Orsi Medola
- São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Architecture, Arts and Communication , Bauru , Brazil
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Choukou MA, Best KL, Potvin-Gilbert M, Routhier F, Lettre J, Gamache S, Borisoff JF, Gagnon D. Scoping review of propelling aids for manual wheelchairs. Assist Technol 2019; 33:72-86. [DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2019.1595789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed-Amine Choukou
- Centre for interdisciplinary research in rehabilitation and social integration, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Krista L. Best
- Centre for interdisciplinary research in rehabilitation and social integration, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Rehabilitation, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Maude Potvin-Gilbert
- Centre for interdisciplinary research in rehabilitation and social integration, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - François Routhier
- Centre for interdisciplinary research in rehabilitation and social integration, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Rehabilitation, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Josiane Lettre
- Centre for interdisciplinary research in rehabilitation and social integration, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Gamache
- Centre for interdisciplinary research in rehabilitation and social integration, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Rehabilitation, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Jaimie F. Borisoff
- Rehabilitation Engineering Design Laboratory, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Dany Gagnon
- School of Rehabilitation, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research of the Greater Montreal, Institut de réadaptation Gingras-Lindsay de Monntéral, Montréal, Canada
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