Motor Learning Approach for Manual Wheelchair Users

Summary

The overall purpose of this project is to pilot test a manual wheelchair (MWC) training program based on motor learning theory to improve wheelchair propulsion for manual wheelchair users (MWUs) with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Conditions

• Spinal Cord Injuries

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Roller system group (RG)

They will first receive the standard of care that is often used in rehabilitation: a 30 minute educational session about recommended propulsion techniques with no motor learning principles implemented. In addition, they will execute 750-1250 wheelchair propulsion repetitions on the roller system per each 1 hour session (2-3 x per week for 4-6 weeks) until they reach approximately 10,000 repetitions (10 sessions). Each session will focus on minimizing the force and frequency of pushes while using longer push strokes during propulsion.

BEHAVIORAL

Overground group (OG)

They will first receive the standard of care that is often used in rehabilitation: a 30 minute educational session about recommended propulsion techniques with no motor learning principles implemented. In addition, they will execute 750-1250 wheelchair propulsion repetitions overground per each 1 hour session (2-3 x per week for 4-6 weeks) until they reach approximately 10,000 repetitions (10 sessions). Each session will focus on minimizing the force and frequency of pushes while using longer push strokes during propulsion.

BEHAVIORAL

Placebo - Wheelchair skills group (WSG)

They will receive the standard of care that is often used in rehabilitation: a 30 minute educational session about recommended propulsion techniques with no motor learning principles implemented.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation

  collaborator OTHER

• Washington University School of Medicine

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Kerri A Morgan, PhD · Washington University School of Medicine

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-11-05

Primary Completion

2021-07-30

Completion

2021-07-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations