[Purpose] To clarify how a novel dynamic cushion affects the leg edema evoked by
wheelchair sitting, we measured the changes in leg volume induced during wheelchair
sitting with the dynamic air cushion or a static cushion. [Subjects and Methods] Nine
healthy male subjects participated in this study. Leg edema during wheelchair sitting was
evaluated with strain gauge plethysmography (the gauge was placed around the middle
portion of the lower thigh). Following a period of rest, each subject was asked to sit on
a wheelchair containing the dynamic cushion for 15 min. Then, the protocol was repeated
with a static cushion. The angles of the knee and ankle joints were set to 90 degrees, and
no footrests were used. [Results] The change in leg volume observed during sitting on the
dynamic cushion (0.00 ± 0.03 mL/100 mL) was smaller than that observed during sitting on
the static cushion (0.02 ± 0.02 mL/100 mL). [Conclusion] These results suggested that the
dynamic cushion relieved leg edema during wheelchair sitting.
Low back pain (LBP) is associated with psychological factors and central sensitization-related symptoms (CSSs). The relationship between CSSs, LBP-related factors, and work status in caregivers remain unclear. This multicentre, collaborative, cross-sectional study aimed to determine the association between CSS severity, LBP-related factors, and work status in caregivers with LBP. We measured LBP intensity, pain duration, pain sites, CSSs (using the Central Sensitization Inventory-9: CSI-9), psychological factors (using the Pain Catastrophizing and Pain Self-Efficacy scales), and work status (interference, amount of assistance, frequency of assistance, and work environment) in 660 caregivers. CSS severity was categorised as no (CSI-9:0–9), mild (CSI-9:10–19), or moderate/severe (CSI-9:20–36). We further performed multiple comparison analyses and adjusted the residual chi-square to reveal differences between CSS severity groups. Caregivers with more severe CSSs tended to exhibit worse LBP intensity (p < 0.01), widespread pain (p < 0.01), catastrophic thinking (p < 0.01), and pain self-efficacy (p < 0.01), and they also tended to experience work interference (p < 0.01). Caregivers without CSSs tended to receive a smaller amount of assistance with a lower frequency (p < 0.05). The number of participants with an adequate environment and equipment was significantly less in the moderate/severe CSS group (p < 0.01). Thus, our findings may suggest that CSS severity is associated with LBP intensity, widespread pain, psychological factors, and work status in caregivers.
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