Purpose:We present a novel wheelchair posture support device (WPSD) and its clinical validation. It was developed in order to assure correct sitting posture and to reduce caregiver time spent for repositioning of wheelchair-bound hospitalized post-acute stroke patients.
Method:The device was validated with 16 subjects during a period of five days in which use of the device was compared with regular care practice.
Results:The device was used for the five consecutive days in 69% of patients, while for 6% it was not suitable; 25% did not complete the five days for reasons unrelated to the device. Caregivers needed to re-position the patients that used the device for the full five days (n=11) on average 52% less times when using the device, as compared to regular practice. Furthermore, the device was rated as usable and functional by the caregivers while significantly reducing perception of trunk pain in patients during the use of it.
Conclusions:The newly designed WPSD is a valuable system for the improvement in medical assistance of hospitalized wheelchair-bound post-stroke patients by reducing pain and number of re-positioning manoeuvres. The WPSD might be applicable to any group of patients who need posture control in either wheelchair or common chair with arms support.
2Clinical validation of a novel postural support device for hospitalized sub-acute post-stroke wheelchair users.
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