Reliability of measurements of static weight distribution of manual wheelchairs.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of measurements of weight distribution among the wheels of wheelchairs using a commercial balance testing system. Reliable data may be useful in the wheelchair evaluation and adjustment process.

SUBJECTS

Three male full-time manual wheelchair users aged 30, 26, and 27 years with cervical spinal cord injuries 7.5, 6.5, and 10 years in duration participated.

METHODS

Calibration weights, unoccupied wheelchairs, and occupied wheelchairs were repeatedly placed on the force transducers of the balance testing system to obtain measurements of weight distribution.

RESULTS

The intraclass correlation coefficients of the measurements were .99 for calibration weights, .96 for unoccupied wheelchairs and .98 for wheelchairs occupied by the subjects.

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION

The described use of this instrumentation appears to generate reliable measurements of static weight distribution. With further testing, this system may provide useful information related to manual wheelchair prescription and adjustment.