Comparing Wheelchair Cushions for Effectiveness of Pressure Relief: A Pilot Study

Shechtman, Orit; Hanson, Carolyn; Garrett, Donna; Dunn, Pam

doi:10.1177/153944920102100103

Cited by 18 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 13 publications

(35 reference statements)

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“…Additionally, there are computer aided design processes that can customize wheelchair cushions for individuals who use a wheelchair that matches their needs and maximizes comfort, posture, and function (Redford, 1993). Shechtman, Hanson, Garrett, and Dunn (2001) examined the differences in relieving pressure among the Flelxseat, Jay 2, Pindot, ROHO High, ROHO Low, and Stimulite wheelchair cushions. The ROHO High and the ROHO Low cushions were more effective in relieving pressure for 5 minute periods according to the Xsensor Pressure Mapping System; however, body mass was an important confounding variable in terms of the cushions' ability to successfully relieve pressure.…”

Section: Cushionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Positioning on Functional Reach

Amos

Brimner

Dierckman

et al. 2001

Physical & Occupational Therapy In Geriatrics

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This study examined the functional reach of fifty-three elderly persons who use a wheelchair and reside in an extended care facility. Forward, right, and left functional reaches were elicited through a goal-directed activity while the participant sat in a wheelchair with a wedge cushion on a solid-seat insert and on the standard wheelchair sling seat. Participants had a statistically significant greater forward reach when using the wheelchair with a wedge cushion and solid-seat insert compared to the sling seat, but no significant differences in the right and left reaches were found. While the study inclusion criteria did not specifically select individuals with limitations in reach, this difference in forward reach, possibly due to better positioning in a wheelchair, may positively impact the functional ability of elderly persons.

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Section: Cushionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Positioning on Functional Reach

Amos

Brimner

Dierckman

et al. 2001

Physical & Occupational Therapy In Geriatrics

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“…Results from the current study have confirmed findings from previous studies with other populations ‘at risk’ of pressure ulcer development, demonstrating that no one cushion is suitable for all and that individual assessment is necessary (Bar 1991; Pellow 1999; Ferrarin et al . 2000; Shechtman et al . 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Low midline pressure was considered to be crucial for these participants, corresponding to their most sensitive/painful areas. Maintaining low midline pressure provided comfort, a factor known to be crucial in compliance (Shechtman et al . 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seating and pressure support needs of people with cancer in the cervix or rectum: a case series on the clinical usefulness of pressure mapping assessment

Stinson¹,

Porter-Armstrong²

2008

Eur J Cancer Care

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Pressure sores present a challenge to people with rectal and cervical cancers due to weight loss, compromised nutrition, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Affected individuals often experience intense pain on sitting, and prefer to spend the majority of their time lying down. This pilot study, employing a case study design, investigated the pressure care needs of such persons using pressure mapping, a technology designed to measure pressures at the seating interface. Four participants were mapped on a selection of five cushions, three of which were developed to specifically reduce midline posterior pressure/pain relief. Participants rated the cushions for comfort. Findings demonstrated an inconsistent relationship between interface pressures and perceived cushion comfort, suggesting that patient-rated comfort is a poor indicator of high interface pressures. The specialized cushions did not always meet the needs of this target population and no one cushion suited all. This study demonstrated the precarious clinical balance needed between comfort and achieving optimal pressure reduction in cushion prescription for this client group, and suggested that comfort was more important than pressure reduction in terms of their seating needs.

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“…Occupational therapy researchers have used FSA pressure mapping systems to provide quantitative. assessments of seated postural control and wheelchair cushion selection (Abreu, 1995; Shechtman et al, 2001; Abreu et al, 2007). As supported in this study, FSA may help in the objective evaluation of UE weight bearing; however, clinicians might also use bathroom scales as a low-cost but less reliable alternative to roughly estimate UE weight-bearing pressure.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unilateral and bilateral upper extremity weight‐bearing effect on upper extremity impairment and functional performance after brain injury

Reistetter

Abreu

Bear‐Lehman

et al. 2009

Occupation Therapy Intl

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The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of upper extremity (UE) weight bearing on UE impairment functional performance of persons with acquired brain injury (BI). A quasi-experimental design was used to examine a convenience sample of 99 persons with acquired BI and 22 without BI (WBI) living in a community re-entry centre. A computerized force-sensing array pressure map system was used to determine the UE pressure during unilateral and bilateral conditions. Differences between groups were examined using t-tests. Correlations were computed between UE weight bearing and hand function, and functional performance as measured by the Fugl-Meyer scale and functional independence measure (FIM) scale. The group of people with BI exerted significantly lower UE weight bearing during unilateral conditions as compared with persons WBI [left: t (119) = 2.34, p = 0.021; right: t (119) = 4.79, p = 0.043). UE weight-bearing measures correlated strongly with FIM motor scores with bilateral UE conditions yielded the highest significant correlation (bilateral left r = 0.487, p < 0.001; bilateral right r = 0.469, p < 0.01). The results indicated that UE weight-bearing pressure differs in unilateral and bilateral conditions, between persons with and WBI and between persons with stroke and traumatic brain injury. These findings may have implications for occupational therapists that use unilateral versus bilateral motor training for rehabilitation. There is a need to replicate the study design with a randomized and stratified sample of persons with BI.

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Comparing Wheelchair Cushions for Effectiveness of Pressure Relief: A Pilot Study

Abstract: The prescription ofwheelchnir cushions to increase comfort and decrease decubiti in individuals using wheelchairs is often the function of occupational tlierapists.

Cited by 18 publications

References 13 publications

Effects of Positioning on Functional Reach

Effects of Positioning on Functional Reach

Seating and pressure support needs of people with cancer in the cervix or rectum: a case series on the clinical usefulness of pressure mapping assessment

Unilateral and bilateral upper extremity weight‐bearing effect on upper extremity impairment and functional performance after brain injury

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