A Dynamic Seating Intervention for Wheelchair Seating Discomfort
By Crane, Barbara A., PhD, PT, ATP; Holm, Margo B., PhD, OTR/L; Hobson, Douglas, PhD; Cooper, Rory A., PhD; Reed, Matthew P., PhD; American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 86, No. 12, pp. 988-993Publication Date: December 2007
Study examines the effectiveness of a new user-adjustable wheelchair seating system designed to relieve discomfort for long-duration wheelchair users. The Permobil powered wheelchair used for testing included powered chair tilt, powered back recline, powered elevating leg rests, and a powered seat lift. The experimental design incorporated automotive bucket-style seating with embedded air bladders connected to controls to inflate or deflate each bladder to adjust the support characteristics of the cushion. The Tool for Assessing Wheelchair disComfort (TAWC) was used as the primary outcome measure. Two long-duration wheelchair users (more than 8 hours of use per day) each tested 2 different prototype designs and their feedback and TAWC scores regarding the first design were used to develop the second design. After redesign, both subjects tested the second design and found it to be substantially more comfortable.
Published by: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins (Website:http://www.lww.com)
Association of Academic Physiatrists (Web Site: http://physiatry.org )
