A Comparison of Spinergy Versus Standard Steel-Spoke Wheelchair Wheels
By Hughes, Barbara, MD; Sawatzsky, Bonita J., PhD; Hol, Adrienne T., BSc; Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 86, No. 3, pp. 596-601Publication Date: March 2005
Study conducted to compare the energy efficiency of straight-line wheeling using Spinergy wheels with standard steel-spoke wheels. Spinergy wheels have a triple-cavity rim alloy hub and carbon fiber spokes, and are lightweight and durable. They also have low rotational weight for faster acceleration and turning, and absorb 25 percent more road vibration than most conventional wheel designs. Twenty people with tetraplegia participated in the study. Each participant was evaluated while traveling in a straight line and on an obstacle course with Spinergy or standard wheelchair wheels. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in wheeling energy efficiency between the Spinergy and the steel spoke wheels. Spinergy wheels were, however, rated much higher in terms of overall comfort. The authors contend that the increased comfort yielded by the Spinergy wheels may have implications for pain management and spasticity treatments.
Assistive Products Discussed: SPORT LIGHT EXTREME SLX WITH R10 HUB
Published by: W.B. Saunders Company, a division of Elsevier Health Sciences (Website:http://us.elsevierhealth.com)
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Web Site: http://www.aapmr.org/ )
American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.acrm.org )
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J48840
