A Preliminary Evaluation of Energy Efficiency for Children with Cerebral Palsy for Driving A Manual Wheelchair and Walking: Use of the Total Heart Beat Index

ABSTRACT

Aims: This study aims to compare the total heart beat index (THBI) in evaluating energy efficiency between using a manual wheelchair and walking for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: The energy efficiency was measured in 21 participants with CP (mean age, 13.6 ± 3.4 years) who walk or drive a manual wheelchair using a square course. THBI was calculated as total number of heart beats during the exercise period/total distance traveled.

Results: Significant differences in the THBI were observed between Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III and IV (p = .049, effect size = 1.60). No significant differences in THBI were observed between GMFCS levels II and III or between GMFCS levels II and IV (p > .05).

Conclusions: The energy efficiency of children with CP who use a manual wheelchair in this study was equal to or better than that for walking.

KEYWORDS:

• Cerebral palsy
• energy efficiency
• total heart beat index
• reliability
• wheelchair

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all the children and parents who participated in the study and acknowledge the following study co-investigators: Akiko Furukawa (Physiotherapist) and Suguru Ishioka (Special support school teacher).

Disclosure of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was not funded by grants from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.