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.

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]