title: A comparison of spinergy versus standard steel-spoke wheelchair wheels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the energy efficiency of straight-line wheeling using Spinergy wheels as compared with standard steel-spoke wheels, and to assess the 2 wheels in terms of user comfort and wheeling preference during a wheeling course with multiple turns and surfaces.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nonblinded randomized crossover trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rehabilitation center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty persons with paraplegia (neurologic level T6 and below).
  
  
  METHODS
  Wheeling a straight line and obstacle course with Spinergy or standard spoke wheelchair wheels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Velocity and Physiological Cost Index (PCI) while wheeling over ground at a self-selected pace, and the User Preference Questionnaire after wheeling an obstacle course, using Spinergy or standard spoke wheelchair wheels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in wheeling energy efficiency between the Spinergy and the steel-spoke wheels as measured by PCI ( P =.975). When rated for overall comfort, the Spinergy wheels were preferred over steel-spoke wheels ( P =.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spinergy wheels provided a more comfortable ride, but did not differ from standard steel-spoked wheels in terms of energy efficiency. The increased comfort may have important implications in patient management of pain and spasticity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Bonita J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Sawatzky
authors.forename: Adrienne T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Hol
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004867:Equipment Design; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D014910:Wheelchairs