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Biomechanical Modeling of Manual Wheelchair Propulsion: Force Capability Investigation for Improved Clinical Fitting Procedures

Koehler, Amy
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1494193078750548

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Mechanical Engineering.
The use of a manual wheelchair (MWC) for everyday mobility is associated with some degree of biomechanical risk, particularly to the user’s trunk and upper extremities (UE), due to the loads placed on the body during propulsion and transfers. An improperly fitting wheelchair can require users to exert higher force or result in awkward positions that can place unnecessary strain on the UE. The combination of repetitive motion, higher peak forces and large joint deflections may result in musculoskeletal problems or injuries. Clinical fitting methodologies are primarily categorical and qualitative and as such are based on the clinician’s perception and previous experience. Therefore, they do not provide a good basis for quantitative prediction of the impact of the wheelchair system on the user’s biomechanics and the associated risk for developing additional musculoskeletal problems. Recent studies have focused on the identification of MWC user UE injuries and clinical prescription adjustments to prevent those injuries. While many adjustments have been supported using experimental data, computational modeling allows for a wider range of test case scenarios and the inclusion of additional factors that cannot be easily estimated in vivo, including the impact of deviations and changes to a wheelchair prescription on the user’s force generation capabilities and more accurate risk identification. A few biomechanical models exist in current literature, but they are not adaptable for widespread use, utilize private software, are subject-specific or are insufficient in analyzing the user and wheelchair system. The MWC Propulsion Model 2017, created in OpenSim software by adapting a previously validated walking biomechanical model for application to a MWC and user, seeks to overcome the limitations of existing models, including accounting for a larger number of degrees of freedom and asymmetry. At this stage, the MWC Propulsion Model 2017 serves as a clinical teaching tool, focusing on the impact of the relative positioning between the axle and user on the force capabilities of the user throughout propulsion. The model is used to study the effect of a range of positions on the user’s muscle moment arms, and thus an indication of forces required for generating propulsion torque, relative to the axle in the superior-inferior, and anterior-posterior directions. Experimental data was collected (N=1) to develop a baseline expectation for the relative amount of change expected for the resultant joint kinematics and muscle moment arms across a set of clinically recommended axle positions. Changes in muscle force, often guided by the force potential that a user has in a given system, are responsible for changes in compressive shoulder joint forces, which may result in shoulder pain or pathology. By optimizing a MWC user’s system that naturally allows them to utilize healthy kinematics and larger, controlled moment arms, especially throughout the middle of the stroke cycle during the propulsive sub-phase, the user’s muscle force necessary to exert propulsive torque can be controlled and stresses can be minimized. This preliminary study indicates that there is potential for these data to serve as a prescription tool for clinicians someday after additional investigation.
Sandra Metzler (Advisor)
Robert Siston (Committee Member)
Carmen DiGiovine (Committee Member)
136 p.
Biomechanics; Engineering; Health Sciences; Rehabilitation
manual wheelchair biomechanical risk to trunk and upper extremities; computational modeling; biomechanical models

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Koehler, A. (2017). Biomechanical Modeling of Manual Wheelchair Propulsion: Force Capability Investigation for Improved Clinical Fitting Procedures [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1494193078750548

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Koehler, Amy. Biomechanical Modeling of Manual Wheelchair Propulsion: Force Capability Investigation for Improved Clinical Fitting Procedures . 2017. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1494193078750548.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Koehler, Amy. "Biomechanical Modeling of Manual Wheelchair Propulsion: Force Capability Investigation for Improved Clinical Fitting Procedures ." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1494193078750548

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1494193078750548
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.