Effect of power-assistance on upper limb biomechanical and physiological variables during a 6-minute, manual wheelchair propulsion test: a randomised, cross-over study.

Purpose: Use of a power-assistance wheelchair could reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), however, a comprehensive biomechanical evaluation of these systems has not been carried out. This study aimed to evaluate and compare biomechanical UL propulsion variables, and physiological exercise-related variables during the use of a wheelchair with rear drive power assist device (RD-PAD) and a standard manual wheelchair (MW).

Materials And Methods: Twenty-two adults with spinal cord injury were recruited.