The objective of this study was to test the hypotheses that, in comparison with people trained to ascend 15cm curbs using a traditional approach, people trained using a highly structured method of training have a higher success rate and require less training time. We studied 16 able-bodied participants, randomly allocated to group. The “intervention” group received more structured training (e.g. a step-wise progression, trainer demonstrations and standardized feedback). The “conventional” group received the current standard care, lacking video and trainer demonstrations, mirror feedback, and the structured, step-wise method. The success rate of the intervention group was 86% while that of the conventional group was 78% (not significant). The mean total training time of the intervention group (47.3 minutes) was significantly shorter than for the conventional group (85.7 minutes) (p=0.04). These findings support the use of a more structured approach to training the curb-climbing skill.
wheelchair, curb-climbing, training, rehabilitation
Sean Bennett, c/o Dr. R. Lee Kirby
Dalhousie University, Room 206
Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Centre
1341 Summer Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada B3H 4K4.
Email: Kirby@dal.ca
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