title: WHEEL-I: development of a wheelchair propulsion laboratory for rehabilitation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the enabling factors and barriers experienced in the Wheelchair Expert Evaluation Laboratory - implementation (WHEEL-i) project, in which scientific knowledge, tools and associated systematic analyses of hand-rim wheelchair propulsion technique, user's wheelchair propulsion capacity, wheelchair-user interface, and wheelchair mechanics were implemented in 2 rehabilitation centres.
  
  
  METHODS
  Implementation project.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spinal cord injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this implementation project standardized tests were performed: wheelchair skills tests, 2 questionnaires, and a steady-state exercise test on a treadmill in which propulsion technique (forces and torques) and physical strain (oxygen uptake, heart rate and mechanical efficiency) were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Good interpretation of the test outcomes was the most important barrier. In order to discuss individual wheelchair performance results with patients and clinicians, reference data were developed, smallest detectable differences were calculated and software was developed to simultaneously show video recordings and force and torque signals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on pilot results, the greatest barrier to systematic monitoring of the individual wheelchair fitting and learning process in rehabilitation with, among others, instrumented measurement wheels, was interpretation of outcomes. For proper interpretation of individual outcomes, the availability of reference data, smallest detectable differences and visualization of outcomes is of utmost importance.
authors.affiliation: , Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center, Reade, PO Box 58271, NL-1040 HG Amsterdam,, The Netherlands. s.d.groot@rcamsterdam.nl, s.d.groot@reade.nl.
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Groot
authors.forename: Riemer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vegter
authors.forename: Coen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vuijk
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van Dijk
authors.forename: Corien
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Plaggenmarsch
authors.forename: Maurits
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sloots
authors.forename: Janneke M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Stolwijk-Swüste
authors.forename: Ferry
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Woldring
authors.forename: Marga
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tepper
authors.forename: Lucas H V
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: van der Woude
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004867:Equipment Design; D005080:Exercise Test; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008124:Locomotion; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D009426:Netherlands; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014910:Wheelchairs