Wheelchair users are 5 times more likely to suffer from back pain than the overall population and around half of wheelchair users are affected by back pain (ref 1,2).
A research team from the University of Pittsburgh in the USA has found that in-wheel suspension can improve both immediate comfort and the long-term health of wheelchair users.
In the first study of two, they measured the amount of shock and vibrations transmitted into the body when a wheelchair user passes over 9 different surfaces commonly encountered in everyday life, such as carpet, paving stones or tarmac. Vibration and shocks can lead to long-term back and neck pain and fatigue, so reducing the amount of exposure to vibration reduces the risk of suffering from these. They compared the relatively new technology of in-wheel suspension with two types of more traditional wheelchair wheels with spokes, and measured the amount of vibration and shock transmitted through each to the chair and the wheelchair user.
The team found that the suspension wheels significantly reduce vibrations and shocks compared with other wheels, even when the person in the wheelchair propels themselves manually at slow speed.
In the second study, the researchers looked at pain and comfort experienced on a daily basis. 24 wheelchair users used Loopwheels suspension wheels and spoked wheels over 12 weeks. A battery of questions relating to pain and comfort was measured before, during and after the trial. This study showed that for people using suspension wheels, vibrations were reduced by 35%, while shock exposure dropped by 50%. Measured levels of exposure to vibration and shock fell to within safe limits set by international standards.
Participants using Loopwheels reported less pain, less fatigue, a decrease in pain interference in daily life, and a smoother, more comfortable ride.
These studies involved people with a spinal cord injury who propel themselves manually in their wheelchairs. With the greater use of new e-power wheelchair attachments enabling people to travel faster and further in their wheelchairs, the exposure to vibration and shocks is greater. In-wheel suspension such as Loopwheels offers even greater benefit for people who use power attachments and e-powered handbikes to help manage their disability.
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