Effects of Dynamic Wheelchair Seating on Spasticity and Functional Mobility in Children
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Neurology |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 4 - 12 |
| Updated: | 11/8/2014 |
| Start Date: | April 2006 |
| End Date: | March 2007 |
| Contact: | Michael E. Hahn, PhD |
| Email: | mhahn@montana.edu |
| Phone: | 406-994-7154 |
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-degenerative neuromuscular disease that can exist at or occur
as a result of birth. Because of damage to one or more parts of the brain that control
movement, an affected child cannot control his or her muscles normally. Prevalence of CP is
similar worldwide, with pronounced severity in underdeveloped countries due to poor health
and financial conditions.
Research should be conducted to find methods of medical treatment to allow affected children
to maintain or regain musculoskeletal functionality. Many children affected with CP spend
much of their days restricted to a rigid wheelchair; limiting muscular and cognitive
development, making it difficult to interact with their environment. The gap to be addressed
by this study is to determine if a wheelchair that is based on the dynamics of human anatomy
can allow enhanced function, while being adaptive to individual growth and development. At
present, there is very little dynamic capability available in commercial wheelchairs to
allow this mobility.
A dynamic wheelchair system was recently designed and a small sample of able-bodied children
has been tested in the chair. It is hypothesized that significant increases in functional
mobility will be achieved in children with CP from the use of this novel wheelchair design.
as a result of birth. Because of damage to one or more parts of the brain that control
movement, an affected child cannot control his or her muscles normally. Prevalence of CP is
similar worldwide, with pronounced severity in underdeveloped countries due to poor health
and financial conditions.
Research should be conducted to find methods of medical treatment to allow affected children
to maintain or regain musculoskeletal functionality. Many children affected with CP spend
much of their days restricted to a rigid wheelchair; limiting muscular and cognitive
development, making it difficult to interact with their environment. The gap to be addressed
by this study is to determine if a wheelchair that is based on the dynamics of human anatomy
can allow enhanced function, while being adaptive to individual growth and development. At
present, there is very little dynamic capability available in commercial wheelchairs to
allow this mobility.
A dynamic wheelchair system was recently designed and a small sample of able-bodied children
has been tested in the chair. It is hypothesized that significant increases in functional
mobility will be achieved in children with CP from the use of this novel wheelchair design.
Specifically, it is expected that range of motion and functional mobility in the hip, knee,
and ankle joints will increase, involuntary spasticity in the musculature of the mid and
lower body will be reduced, and independent daily function will be enhanced in children with
CP. The success of these conditions will greatly influence the child’s interaction with the
surrounding environment, maintaining neuromuscular function and providing enhanced mobility
for coordinated development through childhood.
This research will bring great benefits for children with CP, however children with other
neuromuscular conditions should also benefit from the findings of this initial study.
Specifically, the direct health benefits will include increased joint range of motion,
reduction of spasticity, enhanced cognitive development and muscle coordination. The concept
of this novel wheelchair design could be applied domestically within one year of project
completion. If funded, this initial study will lead to a subsequent project of two years,
which would focus on the feasibility of broadening the target population to include children
in under-represented areas within the United States and in developing countries.
Twenty children (4-12 years) with CP will be recruited for this study from the surrounding
community and greater Rocky Mountain region. The study volunteers will be randomly assigned
to either an experimental group (using new dynamic seating system), or a control group
(using standard, state of the art non-dynamic chair systems). Consent will be obtained from
each child and their parents/guardians. The study will consist of a pre-chair laboratory
session, a supervised chair adaptation period (including a mid-way laboratory session) and a
follow-up laboratory session. The pre-chair, mid-way and follow up laboratory sessions will
consist of a series of cognitive/communicative, fine motor, and functional skill tests.
Evaluation of these tests will be conducted by physical, occupational, and speech
therapists. The wheelchair effect will be tested for significant improvement in joint range
of motion, muscle spasticity and tone, and independent functionality.
and ankle joints will increase, involuntary spasticity in the musculature of the mid and
lower body will be reduced, and independent daily function will be enhanced in children with
CP. The success of these conditions will greatly influence the child’s interaction with the
surrounding environment, maintaining neuromuscular function and providing enhanced mobility
for coordinated development through childhood.
This research will bring great benefits for children with CP, however children with other
neuromuscular conditions should also benefit from the findings of this initial study.
Specifically, the direct health benefits will include increased joint range of motion,
reduction of spasticity, enhanced cognitive development and muscle coordination. The concept
of this novel wheelchair design could be applied domestically within one year of project
completion. If funded, this initial study will lead to a subsequent project of two years,
which would focus on the feasibility of broadening the target population to include children
in under-represented areas within the United States and in developing countries.
Twenty children (4-12 years) with CP will be recruited for this study from the surrounding
community and greater Rocky Mountain region. The study volunteers will be randomly assigned
to either an experimental group (using new dynamic seating system), or a control group
(using standard, state of the art non-dynamic chair systems). Consent will be obtained from
each child and their parents/guardians. The study will consist of a pre-chair laboratory
session, a supervised chair adaptation period (including a mid-way laboratory session) and a
follow-up laboratory session. The pre-chair, mid-way and follow up laboratory sessions will
consist of a series of cognitive/communicative, fine motor, and functional skill tests.
Evaluation of these tests will be conducted by physical, occupational, and speech
therapists. The wheelchair effect will be tested for significant improvement in joint range
of motion, muscle spasticity and tone, and independent functionality.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Spastic Cerebral Palsy
- Requires Wheelchair for mobility
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unable to respond to clinical evaluation commands
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