Can static interface pressure mapping be used to rank pressure-redistributing cushions for active wheelchair users?

Abstract

Abstract-Interface pressure mapping (IPM) is a clinical tool that assists the selection of seat cushions for pressure management for wheelchair users. Clinical pressure measurements are almost always made under static sitting conditions, although this does not consider the time-dependent properties of some cushion materials that may behave differently under the dynamic conditions of self-propulsion. This study investigated the potential for such differences by collecting seat IPM measurements from eight wheelchair users using four different seat cushion designs during static sitting and self-propulsion. Mean pressure corresponding to the approximate anatomical location of the ischial tuberosities was used to rank the four cushions under the two conditions. The two sets of rankings for each participant were then compared using correlation. Dynamic data from four participants was judged too inconsistent to be interpreted reliably and demonstrates the practical difficulties associated with dynamic IPM measurement when variations in individual propulsion technique cannot be controlled. Strong correlations were observed between rank orders for the remaining four participants and suggest that the statically derived pressure measures can be used for clinical decision making when selecting cushions for self-propelling wheelchair users.

Evaluation of pelvis postural systems in spinal cord injury patients: Outcome research

“…In order to put the patient at the center of the decision process, 15 and in order to avoid a too general approach to the prescription, 16 we analyzed also the satisfaction of the patient by using the different cushions (Table 2): we found statistically significant differences only in the case of the stability felt by the patient during the trial period of the cushion, instead all the other items of the questionnaire produced results greater than or equal to P = 0.05. Regarding the stability we obtained a "P-value" equal to 0.041 (Table 4), in favor of the Invacare Matrx Libra.…”

“…15 These studies confirm the importance of enlisting patient choice to help meeting characteristics of the user and stress that using an overly general approach to implement support products is unlikely to lead to an optimal prescription for all. 16 The consequence of a wise procedure involving either subjective and objective evaluations has two major consequences: the satisfaction of the users and an economical advantage, deriving from saving of expensive medical treatments of the ulcers and of the associated infections.…”

Seating fabrication system for clinical rehabilitation settings in low income countries: The experience of Mexico and Colombia

“…A PSA is necessary to measure the pressure that the user experiences while seated on his/her seating system [15,16,17]. Pressure measurement is used to assess if there is a proper matching between the patient and the seat he/she is using.…”

Procedure to categorize wheelchair cushion performance using compliant buttock models

“…Multiple studies have used human subjects to assess pressure redistribution performance (Swain and Peters, 1997;Kernozek and Lewin, 1998;Burns and Betz, 1999;Ferrarin et al, 2000;Ingrid Eitzen et al, 2003;Gil-Agudo et al, 2009;Hollington and Hillman, 2013;Lee et al, 2016;Kawasaki et al, 2021). Use of wheelchair users offers the most ecologically valid means to assess load distribution but is burdened with a few key limitations.…”