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Wheelchair Back-Support Options: Functional Outcomes for Persons With Recent Spinal Cord Injury

By May, Laura A., PhD, PT; Butt, Carla, BSc, PT; Kolbinson, Karen, BSc, PT; Minor, Linda, BSc, PT; Tulloch, Kathy, BSc, PT; Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 85, No. 7, pp. 1146-1150
Publication Date: July 2004

Study conducted to evaluate the functional outcomes for people with a recent spinal cord injury when using three different back-support cushions: (1) a standard sling upholstery, (2) a J2 back from Jay Medical, Limited, and (3) a PaxBac from Pindot Products. The researchers hypothesized that differences in functional outcomes would occur when the participants used a back support such as the J2 or PaxBac, which are intended to reinforce better posture and trunk stability compared with the standard sling upholstery. Twenty-seven people with recent spinal cord injuries who used manual wheelchairs participated in the study. The participants used each of the three wheelchair back options and were tested to perform four functional activities: (1) timed forward wheeling as quickly as possible over a 23-meter linoleum surface, (2) forward vertical length, (3) ramp ascent, and (4) distance completed with one maximal push on a carpeted surface. Significant differences in functional performance were found for the reaching activity, as reach was found to be greater when the participants used the J2. Otherwise, differing back supports did not affect the participants’ performance of the functional activities. The authors contend that the inclusion of a consistent battery of functional tasks could provide a standardized reference point for clients’ subjective evaluations.

Assistive Products Discussed: J2 DEEP CONTOUR CUSHION
PAXBAC
Published by: W.B. Saunders Company, a division of Elsevier Health Sciences   (Website:http://us.elsevierhealth.com)

American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation    (Web Site: http://www.aapmr.org/ )
American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine    (Web Site: http://www.acrm.org )
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