Paper describing current and future of Pedalong

PEDALONG – A THERAPEUTIC EXERCISER FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS

Rollin Dix – June 2013

Here is the INTRODUCTION to an 11 page paper summarizing plans and progress - please call me at 773-239-3514 if you want a copy.

This paper describes the continued design, development and testing of a pedaling attachment for wheelchairs “Pedalong” by Patpending Marketing, Inc. The invention is intended to provide therapeutic exercise for stroke, cerebral palsy, MS and other patients, and for the very elderly, . Other possible applications are exercise in early post-operative care and in hospital transport to and from physical therapy. By providing propulsion for the seated user, the Pedalong may promote more interesting and therefore more regular and longer-continued exercise.

The result of our eight-year effort, the Pedalong has a crank and pedals extending forward (and retracting) from beneath the wheelchair on a chain-carrying mast supported under the wheelchair. These pedals propel the wheelchair while a steering handle at armrest height steers it.

My colleague Dr. David Brown's primary research interest is post-stroke rehabilitation. This summer we plan for testing of current prototypes at his Rehabilitation Science Program at the University of Alabama and at the Lakeshore Rehabilitation Center, both in Birmingham.

This paper contains a review of the need for therapeutic exercise equipment, details of our plan for the coming year, a history of the project so far, plans beyond the coming year, a review of the competition, and references.