Effects of Dynamic Wheelchair Seating on Spasticity and Functional Mobility in Children

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-degenerative neuromuscular disease that can exist at or occur as a result of birth. Because of damage to one or more parts of the brain that control movement, an affected child cannot control his or her muscles normally. Prevalence of CP is similar worldwide, with pronounced severity in underdeveloped countries due to poor health and financial conditions. Research should be conducted to find methods of medical treatment to allow affected children to maintain or regain musculoskeletal functionality. Many children affected with CP spend much of their days restricted to a rigid wheelchair; limiting muscular and cognitive development, making it difficult to interact with their environment. The gap to be addressed by this study is to determine if a wheelchair that is based on the dynamics of human anatomy can allow enhanced function, while being adaptive to individual growth and development. At present, there is very little dynamic capability available in commercial wheelchairs to allow this mobility. A dynamic wheelchair system was recently designed and a small sample of able-bodied children has been tested in the chair. It is hypothesized that significant increases in functional mobility will be achieved in children with CP from the use of this novel wheelchair design.