Influence of wheelchair type on Wheelchair Propulsion Test performance in community-dwelling, adult wheelchair users1

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The clinimetric properties of the Wheelchair Propulsion Test (WPT) have not been developed thoroughly. OBJECTIVE: To determine inter-rater reliability and reference values for the Wheelchair Propulsion Test (WPT) for active wheelchair users and to compare WPT performance between various types of manual wheelchairs at different paces. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. Participants propelled a manual wheelchair 10 m while time and the number of pushes were recorded. Trials were performed in three different manual wheelchairs (a lightweight wheelchair (LW), an ultralightweight wheelchair (ULW), and the participant’s personal, customized wheelchair) at a comfortable pace and a fast pace. RESULTS: The ICC values ranged from 0.861 to 0.999 for both speed and number of pushes. Comfortable wheelchair propulsion speed ranged from 1.51 (0.31) m/s to 1.65 (0.33) m/s depending on the wheelchair utilized. Across both pace conditions, participants were significantly faster when using their personal wheelchair compared to the ULW (P < 0.001) and LW (P < 0.001). Push frequency was significantly greater during the fast pace condition compared to the comfortable pace condition (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Reference values for the WPT in active wheelchair users have been identified. Participants who utilize their personal wheelchair demonstrate faster wheelchair propulsion speeds complemented by greater push frequencies.