Lightweight and ultralight wheelchairs: propulsion and preferences of two young children with spina bifida.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared the influence of two wheelchair styles, an ultralight rigid frame and a lightweight folding frame, on preference and propulsion in young children with spina bifida.


METHODS
Speed, distance, energy expenditure, and perceived exertion of two girls were studied in an A-B-A single subject design. Questionnaires were used after the three phases to obtain parent and child preference.


RESULTS
Visual inspection of the data favored the ultralight wheelchair for all variables, except the first child's speed with classmates and perceived exertion. Parents and children indicated preference for the ultralight wheelchair on all questions but one by Child 1. Using two standard deviation band width (2SDBW) analyses, 12 of 16 comparisons between the phases differed significantly. 2SDBW comparison was not used in the other four phase comparisons because of autocorrelations.


CONCLUSIONS
This study presents initial evidence supporting the use of ultralight rigid-framed wheelchairs by young children.
Meiser
Mary Jean
MJ
Arlington Independent School District, Arlington, Texas, USA. meiser74@verizon.net
McEwen
Irene R
IR
D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism; D014910:Wheelchairs