Journal of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation & Disabilities Category: Medical Type: Research Article

The Testing of An Instrumented Wheelchair Propulsion Testing and Training Device

Jack R Engsberg¹, Joseph Klaesner² and Kerri A Morgan^3*: ¹ Program in occupational therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United states; ² Program in physical therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United states; ³ Program in occupational therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8505, 4444 Forest Park Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108, United states

^*Corresponding Author(s):

Kerri A Morgan
Program In Occupational Therapy, Washington University School Of Medicine, Campus Box 8505, 4444 Forest Park Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108, United States
Tel:+1 3142861659,
Email:morgank@wusm.wustl.edu

Received Date: Jul 10, 2015

Accepted Date: Sep 03, 2015

Published Date: Sep 24, 2015

DOI: 10.24966/PMRD-8670/100003

Abstract

Researchers and clinicians oFten look for devices that can be used to simulate wheelchair propulsion in different environments for implementing interventions and conducting assessments. Common devices used are belted treadmills, dynamometers (roller systems), and wheelchair ergometers. The Wheelmill System (WMS), a motor-driven roller system, has been developed to match the experience of rolling overground and pushing up and down graded slopes. The purpose of this research was to determine the accuracy of the WMS to simulate surfaces in the environment and to assess propulsion variables. SmartWheel and WMS data were collected with 13 manual wheelchair users pushing their wheelchairs over ground and up two different sloped ramps. The participants then pushed their wheelchairs on the WMS at different resistive settings. Participants pushed at a faster cadence and with more force when pushing overground and on the ramps than on the WMS. The force profiles of the participants were closer on the overground surface compared to the WMS than on the ramps compared to the WMS. During the push phase, the WMS assessed forces similar to those collected with the SmartWheel. These results will assist in enhancing the WMS software models for simulating the resistance of common surfaces encountered by manual wheelchair users.

Keywords

Manual wheelchair; Propulsion; Research; Rollers

INTRODUCTION

Persons who use manual wheelchairs encounter different surfaces as they move through the environment daily, including smooth, flat surfaces, resistive surfaces (eg: carpet), and graded slopes [1,2]. Propulsion on different surfaces may impact upper extremity injury and participation in life activities [3]. Investigating manual wheelchair propulsion techniques over these surfaces in the natural environment would be ideal; however, the natural environment provides challenges for collecting data and implementing interventions. For example, using accurate data collection procedures (such as video motion capture) can be difficult outside of a laboratory [4]. Therefore, devices are commonly used for manual wheelchair propulsion assessment and training purposes in both research and clinical settings. Fully simulating the many obstacles and terrains manual wheelchair users encounter on a daily basis with a device would be difficult. However, using devices to model common environment conditions such as changes in surface resistance and changes in slope eliminates the problem of limited lab or clinic space, simplifies data collection, and provides a safe and efficient opportunity for wheelchair training.

Many devices have been used and tested by researchers, but it is still unclear which offers the most realistic simulation of propulsion in the environment [5,6]. Each type of system has its strengths and weaknesses (cost, space and adjustability), and the use of different systems makes it difficult to compare data from study to study [7]. However, having different device options allows clinicians and researchers to select the most appropriate device(s) for specific studies or interventions. Common equipment used in manual wheelchair research and clinical interventions includes belted treadmills, rollers, and ergometers. Belted treadmills provide movement variability and require the user to engage in aspects of steering and propulsion at the same time [8]. In addition, changing the angle of the belted surface can allow for the simulation of different ramps. A belted treadmill is, however, difficult to use for the study of rolling resistance on different surface materials [9]. Roller systems, sometimes referred to as dynamometers, are simple to use but have been found to not emulate overground propulsion [6,10]. The ergometer system typically uses a standard laboratory wheelchair but has instrumentation to collect propulsion variables [11,12]. The selection of a device is related to the availability of resources and the specific purpose of the study or clinical intervention.

Belted treadmills, rollers, and ergometers that are commonly used vary in the propulsion experiences for the wheelchair user. Some devices offer a comparable experience to an individual’s actual propulsion pattern in the environment, and some may not [5,6,10,13]. However, few of these devices simulate real-life conditions (eg: changes in surface and speed) encountered by manual wheelchair users during their participation in everyday life activities [5,13]. In addition, it is oFten not possible to assess variables related to manual wheelchair propulsion, such as force, with some of these devices. OFten, additional instruments such as force-sensing wheels are needed [14,15]. The Wheelmill System (WMS) is a motor-driven, computer-controlled roller system that was developed to simulate environmental situations (eg: overground and ramps) and to quantify propulsion variables (eg: cadence, peak force, and average forces) [16]. The purpose of this research was to: (1) evaluate the accuracy of the WMS for simulating propulsion over actual surfaces (smooth, flat, overground surfaces and graded slopes such as ramps) and (2) assess the accuracy of the quantification of propulsion variables. We hypothesized that the WMS propulsion variables would be comparable to those experienced on overground surfaces and up graded slopes. In addition, we hypothesized that the WMS would accurately measure propulsion forces.

METHODS

Participants

Thirteen participants (ten men, three women; aged 37.8 ± 11.5) with a spinal cord injury or related neurologic condition that requires the use of a manual wheelchair were recruited from a local independent living center (Table 1). Participants were screened to ensure that they met the following inclusion criteria: could actively self-propel their own manual wheelchairs, used their manual wheelchairs for at least 75% of activities throughout the day, had used a wheelchair for at least one year, were between the ages of 18 and 60, understood spoken English at a sixth grade level or higher, and were able to provide informed consent. The participants also had to have 61cm wheels on their wheelchairs to accommodate a 61cm instrumented wheel. Potential participants were excluded from the study if they used power assist wheels or maneuvered the wheelchair with their lower extremities or with only one arm. Participants were compensated for their time and effort. The project protocol was approved by an institutional review board.

	n	%
Gender
Female	10	76.9
Male	3	23.1
Race
White	10	76.9
African American	2	15.4
Other	1	7.7
Diagnosis
SCI	12	92.3
Other	1	7.7
Level of Injury
Paraplegic	5	38.5
Quadriplegic	8	61.5
Complete vs Incomplete
Complete	7	53.8
Incomplete	5	38.5
N/A	1	7.7
Side Dominance
Right	11	84.6
LeFt	2	15.4

Table 1: Participant demographics.

Equipment

SmartWheel: Kinetic data were collected using an instrumented manual wheelchair wheel with handrim force and torque sensors, referred to as the SmartWheel (Three Rivers Holdings, LLC, Mesa, AZ). The SmartWheel is a force-and moment-sensing wheel that replaces one of the wheels of the user’s wheelchair during testing [17]. The SmartWheel measures the force applied to the pushrim by the hand during propulsion. The SmartWheel has been used to assess propulsion among wheelchair users, much in the way that force plates during gait analysis are used to assess an individual’s foot-ground forces during ambulation [18]. A high-speed wi-fi link and onboard memory enable data collection from 500 feet. The data sampling frequency was 240 Hz. The SmartWheel was used to measure the force applied to the pushrim as well as cadence (push frequency) and push angle. It has been used extensively in manual wheelchair research, and for the purposes of this study, was considered to be the “gold standard” [14].

Wheelmill System (WMS): The WMS is a computer-controlled roller dynamometer that has the potential to simulate different environmental conditions through the adjustment of the platform to place the wheelchair in different positions and to provide realistic resistance on the rollers [16]. The system consists of four motor-driven aluminum rollers, a front pan that holds the casters, and two independent motors (Kollmorgen AKM 41 servo motor and S200 servo drive) that are used to control the rollers. The WMS is controlled by soFtware written in MicrosoFt Visual C [19]. The soFtware uses an analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog system (NI USB-6229) to collect data from the motors and to change the roller torque applied by the motors, which changes the resistance and speed of the rollers. The analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog system measures speed with an optical device, measures camber and cross slope angles with goniometers, and controls the motors to change the slope. The soFtware interface displays information such as speed, slope, and distance the person has pushed. The interface also allows the user to change the degree of the slope and cross slope; change the parameters controlling the motors (described below) for the leFt and right rollers changing resistances; and save this information to a data file.

The speed at which the wheels roll is dependent upon the force applied on the pushrims of the wheels by the person using the WMS (Figure 1). To move the rollers, the force the person creates has to be greater than the resistive force of the rollers on the wheels. The motors sense torque placed upon the rollers, and this information is used to control the speed of the rollers. The WMS soFtware model may be dependent upon the characteristics of the person (eg: gender, injury level, and weight), his or her wheelchair setup, and the appropriate surface simulations required for the person’s goals.

Figure 1: Interaction of WMS Components to Control Speed.

Person and his or her wheelchair (white boxes), the physical structure of the WMS (gray boxes), and the computer system operating the WMS motors (black boxes)

The speed can be varied by soFtware models that simulate different surfaces or slopes. This is accomplished by increasing or decreasing the resistance supplied by the motor. The movement for each pair of rollers is controlled independently. The variables that are used to control the motor’s speed and resistance are listed in table 2. The signal that is output to the motors is referred to as the Motor Control Signal (MCS; equation 1), which is the voltage applied to the motor. This controls the torque that the motors apply to the rollers. The MCS is different depending on the situation being simulated. For example, an uphill ramp requires a lower (or even negative) torque, resulting in a slower roller speed (smaller MCS) than a smooth, flat, tile surface. In order to calculate the MCS, the motor determines the difference between the previous motor torque (PS) and the torque the user is applying to the rollers (MFS). Two coefficients (push and decay coefficient) are used and can be changed to allow for variation among users and surface types. The Push Coefficient (PC) represents how efficiently the push is converted into roller speed and is related to the setup of the wheelchair. The Decay Coefficient (DC) controls how quickly the speed of the roller decreases, which affects the glide, or distance the wheels continue to roll, of the wheelchair aFter a push and can be adjusted for different types of surfaces and slopes as well as differences in wheelchair weights and centers of gravity. The data in this paper provide information that will be used to refine this software model.

Variable	Definition
Motor Control Signal (MCS)	The voltage output by the Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) to the motor, which controls the speed of the rollers
Previous Signal (PS)	The previous voltage output sent to the motor by the DAC
Push Coefficient (PC)	Coefficient that controls the efficiency of the “push” to change the speed of the rollers; it may be related to the weight on the rollers and wheelchair configuration
Motor Feedback Signal (MFS)	A signal from the motor to the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that indicates how much torque is resisting or assisting the current movement of the rollers
Decay Coefficient (DC)	Coefficient that controls the decrease in speed of the rollers due to the effects of friction (or other forces resisting the movement, such as gravity, an upslope, or air resistance)

Table 2: WMS motor control equation variables.

MCS= {PS +PC[Δ (MFS)]}*DC (1)

Setting

All testing was completed at a community-based research facility. The facility houses the WMS and contains two different sloped ramps (1:20 and 1:12) and a flat surface 40 meters long.

Data collection

Outcome variables: The SmartWheel has the ability to generate numerous variables that describe a person’s propulsion mechanics. Five of these variables (cadence, speed, peak force, average force, and push angle) were selected for this project and are deemed clinically relevant and frequently used in propulsion research to analyze propulsion mechanics [5,20,21]. The WMS was able to collect data for three of the five propulsion variables (cadence, peak tangential force, and average force). Once the participant reached a steady state (aFter three initial start-up pushes), three to five consecutive pushes were averaged for each variable. Cadence (push frequency) is defined as the number of times per second the pushrim is contacted (in contacts per second). Speed is the average speed (in meters per second) across the pushes. The most relevant force for wheelchair propulsion is the tangential force to the pushrim; therefore, this is the force that was used for analysis [22]. Peak force is the average of the greatest amount of force (measured in Newtons) of each of the three-to-five pushes. Average force measured in Newtons is the overall tangential force applied to the pushrim during the push phase averaged across the three-to-five pushes. Push angle is measured as the angle (in degrees) between the points at which the hand contacts the pushrim and then leaves the pushrim [23].

Actual surface: Overground and ramps: The SmartWheel was placed on the participant’s dominant side to measure the force occurring during propulsion on an overground surface and on the upgraded slopes. Participants were asked to roll across a smooth, flat, overground surface for 40 meters and up slopes of a low grade (1:20, or about 2.9°) ramp and a high grade (1:12, or about 4.8°) ramp at a self-selected comfortable pace. The slopes of 2.9° and 4.8° were selected because these are the specifications of slopes recommended for ramps in public spaces [24]. Three trials were completed on each surface. A laptop computer with SmartWheel soFtware was used to capture the data for each trial. Data collection of cadence, speed, peak force, average force, and push angle was initiated as the participant began the propulsion motion, prior to the first propulsion stroke. Participants began from a stationary position and accelerated to a self-selected comfortable speed. Data collection was stopped when the participant reached the end of the surface (eg: for the ramp, until the participant reached the platform).

Simulation on WMS: The participant was placed on the WMS with straps and wheel guides to keep the wheelchair secure (Figure 2). The SmartWheel remained on the dominant side of the person’s wheelchair. The participant was instructed to push at a self-selected comfortable pace for two minutes to become acclimated to the WMS. The participant was then asked to propel the wheelchair on the WMS several times for a set amount of time while the push and decay coefficients were varied to simulate different resistances and glides. The participant pushed the wheelchair for 12 different settings, consisting of a combination of six decay coefficients and two push coefficients (Table 3). The settings were tested from hardest (most resistance, least amount of glide) to easiest (least amount of resistance, greatest amount of glide). For each set of coefficients, the variables were collected by the SmartWheel and the WMS.

WMS Setting	Decay Coefficient	Push Coefficient	Level of Resistance	Tile Best Match	Low Ramp Best Match	High Ramp Best match
1	.6	15	Hardest	0	10	12
2	.6	25		0	2	1
3	.7	15		0	1	0
4	.7	25		0	0	0
5	.8	15		0	0	0
6	.8	25		0	0	0
7	.9	15		0	0	0
8	.9	25		4	0	0
9	1.0	15		4	0	0
10	1.0	25		2	0	0
11	1.1	15		1	0	0
12	1.1	25	Easiest	1	0	0

Table 3: WMS settings.

Figure 2: Participant on the WMS.

Data processing

Custom MATLAB scripts and MicrosoFt Excel spreadsheets were developed to take data from existing soFtware (SmartWheel and WMS) and minimize manual data processing [25,26]. Data were identified across five variables for three pushes on the ramps to five pushes on overground and for each set of WMS coefficient values. Data were trimmed to include the pushes when the participant had achieved a steady state (achieved aFter the initial three pushes). The start-up pushes were not included in the analysis; aFter push four, three to five consecutive pushes were averaged for each variable. These data represent the propulsion force of each participant across the different pushing experiences (overground, two graded [low and high] ramps, and 12 WMS settings).

Actual surface comparisons to the WMS settings: To identify best fits of the WMS settings for each of the three surfaces (overground, low-grade, and high-grade ramps), three to five pushes were overlaid using the peak forces as the guide. The force profile for each of the five pushes was averaged to produce one representative push for each WMS setting and for each trial overground and on the ramps. Data on force for the overground and ramp trials were compared to data for each of the WMS settings. Through this process, the values that produced the output closest to the actual surface were identified for each person for flat surfaces and ramps. The WMS setting with the smallest force difference compared to the overground surface and ramps was selected as the best fit. These coefficients were used for comparisons of all five propulsion variables collected by the SmartWheel on the actual surface and on the WMS.

Assessing wheelchair propulsion variables: WMS compared to SmartWheel: To examine the accuracy of the WMS to assess propulsion variables (cadence, peak force, and average force), the data collected from the SmartWheel and the WMS were processed and compared. The WMS does not measure the force applied to the pushrim as the SmartWheel does. The WMS measures the forces at the wheel-ground interface. The tangential Force (F_t) from the WMS was calculated from the motor control signal controlling the torque of the rollers [16]. The torque applied to the rollers by the wheels is sensed by the motor, and a control signal is calculated that controls the torque on the rollers allowing them to turn at the appropriate speed. The F_t was calculated by subtracting a speed-dependent voltage offset from this control signal and multiplying by a conversion coefficient. The motor control signal of the WMS was converted to F_t through custom MicrosoFt Excel spreadsheets.

Data analysis

IBM SPSS Statistics soFtware (version 21) was used for statistical analyses [27].

Actual surface comparisons to the WMS settings: Propulsion variables (cadence, average speed, peak force, average force, and push angle) measured by the SmartWheel were compared from the three different testing conditions (overground, low-grade ramp, and high-grade ramp) to the WMS. A paired-samples t-test was conducted to determine whether there was a significant difference between propulsion variables of pushing overground on a smooth, flat surface compared to propulsion variables when pushing on the WMS setting that was identified as most representative of pushing overground, the null hypothesis being that there is no difference between propulsion overground and on the WMS. A Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient was run to assess the relationship between propulsion variables collected overground compared to those collected on the WMS. A Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess normality of the variables. Scatter plots of each variable were created to evaluate the similarity of variables. We fitted multiple regression models for the five propulsion variables separately as the dependent variable to examine the relationship of each variable to other factors (independent variables). Our independent variables were the settings on the WMS (push and decay coefficients), person factors (gender, injury, and weight), and chair factors (wheelbase length and axle position). Individual participant force profiles were compared between overground and the WMS, and effect sizes were calculated to examine variability within and between participants. This process was repeated for both the low-grade ramp and the high-grade ramp variables.

Assessing accuracy of quantification of wheelchair propulsion variables: WMS compared to SmartWheel: The WMS has the ability to measure variables such as cadence, average peak torque, and average force. These variables were compared to similar data collected from the SmartWheel. Paired t-tests were used to analyze the differences between SmartWheel and WMS data. Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficients were used to assess the relationship of the variables assessed by the WMS as compared to those of the SmartWheel. Scatter plots of each variable were created to evaluate the similarity of variables.

RESULTS

Actual surface comparisons to the WMS settings: Overground (group comparison)

One outlier that was more than three times the interquartile range was removed from the cadence calculations. The values for all variables except push angle (p=0.22) were statistically different (p<0.01) between overground and the WMS setting identified as the best match (Table 4). All five variables had higher values overground as compared to the WMS. Cadence (effect size 0.33) and push angle (effect size 0.10) values on the WMS most closely represented overground. Analyses showed the relationship to be linear, with each of the variables normally distributed (p>0.05) as determined by the Shapiro-Wilk test. Comparing overground to WMS, there was a significant (p<0.05) moderate-to-strong positive correlation for cadence (r=0.759), average speed (r=0.650), average force (r=0.554), and push angle (r=0.872). There was not a significant correlation for peak force (p=0.13).

Variable	Overground vs. WMS		Low Ramp vs. WMS		High Ramp vs. WMS
	Surface	WMS	Surface	WMS	Surface	WMS
Cadence	1.04 (.12)*	.95 (.14)*	1.11 (.22)*	0.86 (.11)*	1.08 (.27)*	0.87 (.12)*
Speed	1.56 (.26)*	1.16 (.34)*	0.99 (.21)*	0.64 (.12)*	0.895 (.299)*	0.64 (.14)*
Peak force	46.04 (13.77)*	34.49 (8.58)*	95.897 (22.49)*	68.19 (14.13)*	101.58 (23.60)*	70.03 (11.91)*
Average force	25.71 (7.90)*	19.66 (4.52)*	60.27 (14.65)*	42.51 (2.57)*	67.54 (17.74)*	43.94 (8.38)*
Push angle	82.45 (14.07)	78.95 (18.96)	84.69 (18.21)	89.01 (15.47)	84.39 (18.55)	87.99 (15.96)

Table 4: Comparison of propulsion variables: Three surfaces vs. WMS.

Note: *p<0.01, Data listed as: Mean (SD)

The propulsion variables were used as the dependent variables (cadence, peak force, average force, and push angle). Gender, injury level, and wheelchair dimensions were not significant for any of the variables and, therefore, were excluded from the model. The assumptions of linearity, independence of errors, homoscedasticity, unusual points, and normality of residuals were met. Push, decay, and weight variables significantly (p<.0005) predicted speed (adj. R²=0.797), peak force (adj. R²=0.506), and average force (adj. R²=0.520; table 5). No significant findings were found for cadence or push angle.

Speed	b	SE	B	95% CI for b
Push (glide)*	3.663	0.648	0.78	2.198, 5.128
Decay (resistance)	0.008	0.1	0.119	-.014, .030
Weight*	-0.005	0.001	-0.685	-.007, -.002
Peak Force
Push (glide)	-35.864	25.444	-0.303	-93.423, 21.696
Decay (resistance)*	1.21	0.382	0.731	.345, 2.074
Weight*	0.086	0.038	0.515	.000, .171
Average Force
Push (glide)*	-35.533	13.186	-0.571	-65.363, -5.703
Decay (resistance)	0.402	0.198	0.461	-.046, .850
Weight*	0.049	0.02	0.566	.005, .094

Table 5: Summary of multiple regression analysis.

Note: *p<0.05; b = unstandardized regression coefficient; SE = Standard Error of the coefficient; B = standardized coefficient; CI = Confidence Interval

Actual surface comparisons to the WMS settings: Overground (individual examples)

The group means above indicate differences between pushing overground and pushing on the WMS (with the appropriate setting). These differences may be related to the inter-variability across participants and the intra-variability for certain participants. Inter-variability of the data indicates that participants pushed differently overground and on the WMS. These differences can be categorized across participants in three ways. Participant force values and cadence were almost the same overground as compared to the WMS (Figure 3, Participant A, effect size for average force 0.12); participant force values and cadence overground had similar shapes compared to those on the WMS (Figure 3, Participant B, effect size for average force 0.38); and participant’s force values and cadences were stronger and faster overground as compared to on the WMS (Figure 3, Participant C, effect size for average force 0.67). In addition, intra-participant variability was evident in many participants who had similar rhythmic pushes on the WMS, but overground, the forces were not consistent across pushes. Participant C’s average peak force across the five pushes overground ranged from 37N to 75N overground as compared to 25 N to 27 N on the WMS.

Figure 3: Individual Force Profile Comparisons: Overground and WMS.

Actual surface comparisons to the WMS settings: Ramps (group comparison)

The propulsion variables were significantly different pushing on the ramp surfaces compared to pushing on the WMS set to simulate ramps (see Table 4). For both sets of ramps, cadence, average speed, average peak force, and average force were significantly higher (p < 0.01) on the actual surface of the ramp as compared to the WMS. Push angle was shorter on the ramps than on the WMS and was not statistically different (low-grade ramp p=0.28, effect size - 0.13; high-grade ramp p=0.16, effect size - 0.10). Analyses showed the relationship to be linear, with each of the variables normally distributed, as assessed by the Shapiro-Wilk test (p>0.05). Comparing the low-grade ramp to the WMS, there was a significant (p<0.05) moderate-to-strong positive correlation for cadence (r=0.704), peak force (r=0.783), average force (r=0.783), and push angle (r=0.826). Average speed was not significant (p=0.16). Comparing the high-grade ramp to the WMS, there was a significant (p<0.05) moderate-to-strong positive correlation for cadence (r=0.741), peak force (r=0.839), average force (r=0.961), and push angle (r=0.791). There was not a significant correlation for average speed (p=0.06).

Actual surface comparisons to the WMS settings: Ramps (individual examples)

The peak and average force was greater and the cadence faster on the ramps than on the WMS (Figure 4, Participant D). The peak of the force profiles was held for a longer period of time on the WMS, while the peak force on the actual ramp was achieved more rapidly and was not held for as long. This trend was common across participants.

Figure 4: Individual Force Profile: Low Ramp and High Ramp.

Assessing wheelchair propulsion variables: WMS compared to SmartWheel

Cadence (p=0.58; effect size - 0.16) and peak force (p=0.24; effect size; 0.35) values collected by the SmartWheel were similar to the values collected by the WMS (Table 6). Average force (p<0.05) was higher as calculated by the SmartWheel compared to the WMS. The force data collected during the recovery phase (p<0.05) were closer to zero for the SmartWheel (0.167N) than for the WMS (6.815N). This difference is apparent when comparing SmartWheel and WMS force profiles for one participant (Figure 5). Analyses showed the relationship to be linear, with each of the variables normally distributed, as assessed by the Shapiro-Wilk test (p>0.05), and no outliers were removed. Comparing the SmartWheel propulsion variables to those collected by the WMS, there was a significant (p<0.05) moderate-to-strong positive correlation for cadence (r=0.993), peak force (r=0.962), and average force (r=0.709).

Figure 5: Individual Force Profile: SmartWheel and WMS.

Propulsion Variable	SmartWheel Mean (SD)	WMS Mean (SD)
Cadence	0.96 (.138)	0.97 (.137)
Peak force	38.92(9.49)	37.99 (8.48)
Average force	22.36 (5.47)*	18.9356 (3.95)*
Recovery force	0.167 (.584)	?6.8148 (3.97)*

Table 6: Comparison of propulsion variables: SmartWheel vs. WMS.

DISCUSSION

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the accuracy of the WMS for simulating propulsion over actual surfaces (overground and ramps) and to assess the accuracy of the quantification of propulsion variables. This research study had many limitations including a small sample size for the number of variables examined. The high variability within and between participants also resulted in lower correlations and significant differences between the WMS and real-life surfaces. In addition, identifying the best-fit WMS settings to compare across the three testing surfaces was challenging due to the difficulty in matching up two separate force profiles across different propulsion variables. The best setting for one variable was not always the best setting for all other variables. We have identified the need to modify the soFtware model to take into account different factors in order to get one setting for each person to simulate different surfaces. During the procedures, we did not control for speed or cadence; we had each participant propel at a self-selected speed, because trying to hold a certain speed may have impacted propulsion biomechanics. This may have resulted in lower correlations, because it is difficult (even over the same surface) to propel exactly the same way. We also did not place a wheel of equal weight and dimensions as the instrumented wheel on the opposite side of the instrumented wheel which may have resulted in a difference in inertial properties across wheels.

Actual surface comparisons to the WMS setting: Overground and ramp

Previous research has differing conclusions about the accuracy of devices simulating surfaces encountered in the environment by manual wheelchair users. Stephens and Engsberg found kinematic differences overground as compared to rollers and belted treadmills [6]. Koontz and colleagues found kinetic differences in propulsion between overground and rollers [10]. However, Kwarciak and colleagues reported a motor-driven belted treadmill to have similar kinetic propulsion variables as overground [5]. We found the WMS (motor-driven roller system) to be comparable to overground in some wheelchair propulsion variables but not all. When pushing overground, participants overall pushed at a faster rate, with greater force, and with a slightly shorter push angle as compared to the WMS. Pushing on an actual ground or ramp surface has a goal, so users may push faster to reach their goal destination.

Much of the research studying ramps used actual ramps in the community or ramps built out of plywood in lab settings [28,29]. However, kinematic and kinetic comparisons between actual ramps and simulation on devices are limited. In this study, users had a higher cadence, faster speed, and much higher force on the ramp as compared to the WMS. The soFtware model on the WMS could be adjusted to require higher forces, but there are no consequences on the WMS as there are on an actual ramp. If a person does not have a rapid cadence with enough force on an actual ramp, he or she will roll backward down the ramp. On the WMS, participants are not forced to push harder at a quicker pace to keep from rolling backward, so it is difficult to get a best match for all variables from one WMS setting. Additional soFtware modeling that would include backward rolling of wheels may assist the WMS with matching push variables with variables measured on ramps. This study tested two different common slopes found in public spaces, however manual wheelchair users encounter steeper slopes in the natural and built environment than what was tested. Future testing may want to address a wider range of slopes to ensure the ability of the device to simulate environments commonly experienced by manual wheelchair users.

The data described in this paper will assist in identifying the appropriate push and decay coefficients, so when a user applies force on the pushrims, the rollers will rotate at an appropriate rate to simulate rolling across a typical surface, slowing down as one would expect due to friction. This data comparison between the actual surface and the WMS provides us with an idea of what each of the coefficients equates to for simulating common resistances experienced by manual wheelchair users in everyday life. The higher decay coefficients were matched more closely with participant’s overground propulsion variables. The lower decay coefficients matched more closely with the ramps (Table 2). Some of the middle WMS settings might be more appropriate for environmental surfaces with different rolling resistances, such as carpet. We could go even lower on the push coefficients (we underestimated) and add into the soFtware interface cueing to keep a faster cadence or the rollers will begin to roll backward. The data collected in this paper will assist in updating the soFtware model so that it will automatically calculate the proper parameters for each person on different surfaces.

Assessing wheelchair propulsion variables

Technology has changed over the past decade, and instrumented wheels such as the SmartWheel [17] and Optipush [15] were not accessible to researchers in the past; consequently, there was a stronger need to use testing wheelchairs for all participants [15,20,30,31]. The development of force-sensing wheels has allowed participants to use their own wheelchairs rather than a standardized laboratory wheelchair. This allows for a more realistic assessment of wheelchair propulsion. However, the use of an instrumented wheel also has some limitations, including cost, wheel size, participants using a wheel with a pushrim that may be different from their own, and the measurement of force only applied directly to the pushrim.

The WMS measures tangential forces during the push phase (while the hand is in contact with the pushrim) similar to those measured by the SmartWheel. However, the WMS measures the forces applied to the motors by the wheels of the wheelchair via the rollers, whereas the SmartWheel measures the forces applied to the pushrims. The benefits of using the WMS to measure forces occurring on the pushrim include the ability to measure the push forces on wheelchairs with any size wheel and regardless of where the wheelchair user applies force to the wheel. The rollers on the WMS use separate motors for the right and leFt wheel; therefore, force can be measured at the same time on both sides without the need for two instrumented wheels. When using the WMS to measure force during propulsion, the participant can use his or her own wheelchair and wheels and does not have to acclimate to pushing on a different wheel or think about only pushing on the pushrim. The WMS does not have the ability to measure the resultant force, whereas an instrumented wheel has the ability to measure different forces acting upon the pushrim [20]. The WMS and the SmartWheel measured tangential force similarly during the push phase. However, during the recovery phase (when the hand is not in contact with the pushrim), the force on the WMS and the SmartWheel differed. As would be expected, the SmartWheel force was around zero during the recovery phase, but this was not the case for the WMS, since the WMS collects the data from the interaction between the wheel and the roller. This force during recovery would include forces between the roller and the wheel and may be related to the participant repositioning or shiFting his or her center of gravity in preparation for the next push. The data may be useful in identifying participants who use their core or trunk during a propulsion cycle.

Clinical and research applications

Researchers and clinicians have access to many outcome measures and tools to examine the experience of manual wheelchair users such as manual wheelchair data loggers, instrumented wheels, and wheelchair skill questionnaires and assessments. The WMS is an additional device and measure that has clinical and research applications in that it has the ability to simulate different resistive surfaces while placing the wheelchair in a realistic position, and provide opportunities for training wheelchair users in propulsion and body position. The WMS is also able to assess propulsion variables, making it useful for research purposes. Further development and research of the WMS may increase its application. Future directions include the following areas: (1) fine tune the computer models for simulating overground with an interface for determining the appropriate coefficients for each user; (2) adjust the WMS soFtware model to require higher force and quicker cadence for simulating ramps; (3) develop and test procedures for measuring speed, distance, and push angle on WMS; and (4) collect kinetic and kinematic variables at the same time to compare different surfaces to the WMS.

CONCLUSION

The WMS has the ability to simulate different environments and assess propulsion variables, and it adds to the equipment available to clinicians and researchers. Information to improve the soFtware modeling of the WMS to simulate propulsion on different surfaces was gathered. Pushing on an overground surface moderately correlates with pushing on the WMS. The ramp models need to be modified to allow for higher forces and to implement a cue to increase cadence. The WMS has clinical applications in its ability to simulate different surfaces. The WMS also has research applications in its use for assessing propulsion variables.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

This study was funded by the Missouri Spinal Cord Injury/Disease Research Program. The authors would like to thank Cynthia Chen, Megen Devine, Taniya Easow, Marie Julien, Kristin Will, and Sue Tucker for their significant contributions to this project. Thank you also to the participants who took the time to participate in this project.

REFERENCES

Citation: Morgan KA, Engsberg JR, Klaesner J (2015) The Testing of An Instrumented Wheelchair Propulsion Testing and Training Device. J Phys Med Rehabil Disabil

Copyright: © 2015 Jack R Engsberg, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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