Lee Joo-Hyun, Yoo In-Gyu
Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, Republic of Korea.
Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medical Sciences, Jeonju University, Republic of Korea.
J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 May;28(5):1493-5. doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.1493. Epub 2016 May 31.
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the thickness of a wheelchair backrest provided for support and comfort on upper arm and trunk muscle load during wheelchair propulsion by using accelerometers. [Subjects and Methods] The Fourteen healthy participants were enrolled in this study. The study compared effects of three backrest conditions including no pad, a 3-cm-thick lumbar pad, and a 6-cm-thick lumbar pad. The instruments used for measurement were used two accelerometers. The participants were asked to propel their wheelchairs, which had been equipped with two accelerometers, 30 times. [Results] The intensity of muscle movement with the 3-cm-thick lumbar pad was significantly lower than the intensities with no lumbar pad and the 6-cm-thick lumbar pad. The muscle intensity did not differ significantly between the no pad and 6-cm-thick lumbar pad conditions. [Conclusion] An appropriately thick backrest has good effects on upper arm and trunk muscles during wheelchair propulsion. In the future, we must consider the appropriate backrest thickness for providing wheelchair users with a comfortable wheelchair.
[目的]本研究旨在通过使用加速度计，调查为提供支撑和舒适度而设置的轮椅靠背厚度对轮椅推进过程中上臂和躯干肌肉负荷的影响。[对象与方法]本研究招募了14名健康参与者。该研究比较了三种靠背条件的影响，包括无衬垫、3厘米厚的腰部衬垫和6厘米厚的腰部衬垫。测量使用的仪器是两个加速度计。参与者被要求推动已安装两个加速度计的轮椅30次。[结果]使用3厘米厚腰部衬垫时的肌肉运动强度显著低于无腰部衬垫和6厘米厚腰部衬垫时的强度。无衬垫和6厘米厚腰部衬垫条件下的肌肉强度无显著差异。[结论]合适厚度的靠背对轮椅推进过程中的上臂和躯干肌肉有良好影响。未来，我们必须考虑合适的靠背厚度，以便为轮椅使用者提供舒适的轮椅。
