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Motor Learning-based Wheelchair Propulsion Training for Older Adults

NCT02123043 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 35

Last updated 2018-05-02

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Many older adults lack the skill of efficient wheelchair propulsion despite being the largest cohort of wheelchair users. Inefficient wheelchair propulsion can lead to fatigue and overuse injuries that can result in lost independent mobility. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a new training strategy using a motor learning based approach to train efficient wheelchair propulsion. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) No practice; 2) Motor learning-based training; or 3) Practice (time-matched to training). Potential improvements based on training will be explored for wheeling biomechanical variables and energy efficiency.

Study Hypothesis: We expect that the Training intervention will be superior to the Practice intervention for improving the biomechanical and physiological efficiency of wheelchair propulsion. It is also hypothesized that both the Training and Practice interventions will be superior to no practice.

Conditions

  • Aging
  • Wheelchair Training

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Motor learning-based training

The motor learning-based training will focus on some of the core concepts in the field of motor learning. The key concepts will include variable practice with respect to speed, feedback (both intrinsic and extrinsic but focusing on extrinsic), feedback focusing on three main variables (wheeling pattern, speed of hand when contacting push rim, push angle), sequential learning (specifically relating to wheeling pattern), and mental imagery (during the rest breaks).

BEHAVIORAL

Practice wheeling

The practice wheeling will consist of the same amount of wheeling exposure compared to the motor learning-based training group, however no feedback regarding an individuals's wheeling will be provided. Participants randomized to this group will wheel for two 5-minute trials/ visit for 6 visits for a total of 60 minutes of wheeling exposure.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of British Columbia

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Bonita J Sawatzky, PhD · University of British Columbia

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
50 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2014-10-31
Primary Completion
2017-02-07
Completion
2017-07-31

Countries

  • Canada

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT02123043 on ClinicalTrials.gov