Factors Influencing Indoor Wheelchair Propulsion by Stroke Patients

[Purpose] We investigated factors which influence the ability of hemiplegic stroke patients to propel a wheelchair indoors. [Subjects] The subjects were 59 hemiplegic stroke patients, 35 males and 24 females. [Method] Candidate factors of Brunnstrom stage, standing balance, sitting balance, grip strength, abdominal muscle strength, lower limb muscle strength of the paretic and non-paretic sides, and cognitive function were assessed and compared with subjects' abilities to propel a wheelchair. The factors affecting ability to propel a wheelchair were analyzed using logistic regression. [Results] Factors affecting ability to propel a wheelchair were identified as standing balance and abdominal muscle strength. [Conclusion] The results indicate that standing balance and abdominal muscle strength are important for hemiplegic stroke patients to acquire the ability to propel a wheelchair indoors.