ABSTRACT

Objective : This study aims to examine the effects of wheelchair propulsion using visual feedback on the balance characteristics of patients with spinal cord injuries.Methods : Selecting 38 patients, we used a wheelchair propulsion simulation and FSA, a tool to measure the distribution of pressure over a seat, in order to measure the pressure distribution over the hips and thighs, as well as a change in center pressure, when the patients were propelling and not propelling a wheelchair depending on the use of visual feedback.Results : 1) In most of the patients, a significant difference was observed between not propelling and propelling without the use of visual feedback (p<.05), but in most cases no significant difference was observed between them with the use of visual feedback (p>.05). 2) Depending on the use of visual feedback, a significant difference was observed in patients with upper thoracic cord or lumber cord injuries (p<.05), but not in patients with cervical cord injuries (p>.05). 3) The distribution of pressure over the seat was measured by body part for patients with cervical cord injuries, and while the wheelchair was in propulsion, the pressure was high in the order of anterior hip > posterior hip > posterior thigh > anterior thigh. 4) When the distribution of pressure over the seat was measured in patients with upper thoracic cord injuries during wheelchair propulsion, the pressure was high in the order of anterior hip > posterior thigh > posterior hip> anterior thigh. 5) When the distribution of pressure over the seat was measured for patients with lower thoracic cord injuries during wheelchair propulsion, the pressure was high in the order of anterior hip > posterior thigh > posterior hip > anterior thigh. 6) When the distribution of pressure over the seat was measured for patients with lumber cord injuries during wheelchair propulsion, the pressure was high in the order of anterior hip > posterior thigh > posterior hip > anterior thigh.Conclusion : When visual feedback was used in wheelchair propulsion, a shaking of the center of pressure decreased regardless of the level of spinal cord injury. In addition, the use of visual feedback improved the pressure distribution by changing an undesirable balance during wheelchair propulsion without the use of visual feedback into a desirable balance through a forward or back and forth movement of pressure distribution . These results suggest that the use of visual feedback may help spinal cord injured patients improve their balancing ability while propelling their wheelchair.