Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of single-variable biofeedback on select
wheelchair propulsion variables. DESIGN: Within-subject comparisons. SETTING:
Biomechanics laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Manual wheelchair users (N=31).
Biofeedback on braking moment, cadence, contact angle, peak force,
push distance, and smoothness were presented on a large monitor during propulsion
on a motor-driven treadmill. For each variable, subjects were asked to make a
maximum improvement, as well as a targeted 10% improvement for cadence, contact
angle, peak force, and push distance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relative differences
(%) in each variable between the normal propulsion trial and the biofeedback
trials. RESULTS: Subjects were able to interpret and respond to the biofeedback
successfully. For the maximum change conditions, significant improvements were
made to all variables except smoothness, with individual improvements of 11% in
peak force, 31% in contact angle, 44% in braking moment, 64% in cadence, and 255%
in push distance. For the 10% target conditions, improvements were achieved to
within 1% for all variables except peak force, which was a difficult variable for
most subjects to control. Cross-variable interactions were found for most
variables, particularly during the maximum change conditions. Minimizing cadence
led to a 154% increase in peak force, suggesting the need for multi-variable
feedback if multiple training objectives, such as reducing cadence and peak force
simultaneously, are desired. While subjects were unable to significantly change
smoothness, efforts to push more smoothly led to improvements across most outcome
variables. CONCLUSIONS: Biofeedback can be used to improve specific aspects of
wheelchair propulsion. Cadence, contact angle, and push distance are well
controlled by wheelchair users, and may be useful for clinical propulsion
training. Clinicians should be aware of and comfortable with any cross-variable
effects resulting from single-variable biofeedback training.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS