Everyday sitting behavior of full-time wheelchair users

Abstract

Abstract-The objective of this study was to describe the inseat movement and weight-shifting behavior of full-time wheelchair users. We measured everyday sitting behavior for 192 d across 28 individuals who used manual wheelchairs as their primary mobility device. To obtain the measurements, we used eight thin force sensors placed under participants' wheelchair cushions. On a typical day, participants spent an average of 10.6 +/ 3.0 h in their wheelchair and transferred out of the wheelchair 8.4 +/ 4.3 times. Participants only performed pressure reliefs (90% off-loading of the entire buttocks for at least 15 s) 0.4 +/ 0.5 times per hour they were seated in the chair, but they performed weight shifts (WSs) (30%-90% off-loading of at least one side of the buttocks for 15 s) with a frequency of 2.4 +/ 2.2 times per hour. Despite the higher frequency of WSs, they were not performed in a routine manner. Half of the days studied included one segment of upright sitting lasting at least 2 h without a WS. Given these observations, we conclude that seating evaluations should emphasize positioning individuals in a way that facilitates reaching, leaning, and transferring in a safe manner, not only to improve function but also to affect buttocks loading.

Everyday use of power adjustable seat height (PASH) systems

“…Center of pressure (CoP) movement was defined as the sum of the movement of the center of pressure on the seat mat over a 5-s window. Movements greater than 10 cm were considered active, and the frequency of active segments were reported (Sonenblum & Sprigle, 2017;Sonenblum, Sprigle, & Martin, 2016). Using this definition, activity was characterized by shifts in the center of pressure that results from leaning and reaching and other postural movements, the intent of which we could not assess.…”

Wheelchair Pressure Ulcer Prevention Using FBG Based Sensing Devices

“…At the same time, other scientific works have been published reporting the use of electronic sensors for wheelchair monitoring. These include devices for posture control and detection of the areas of higher pressure [1,5,[10][11][12][13][14], sensors to identify fall risk postures [15], and a solution with an air cushion and pressure sensors that control the quantity of air in the cushion, according to the exerted pressure [16].…”

Transitioning a Research Tool Into a Consumer Product: The Wheelchair In-Seat Activity Tracker

“…Unfortunately, researchers have consistently concluded that wheelchair users perform many fewer pressure reliefs than they are taught [13][14][15][16][17]. Many researchers and clinicians have suggested that providing feedback will increase awareness and lead to behaviors that could reduce PrU risk [8,[18][19][20][21].…”

“…This project seeks to design a commercially-viable system to inform wheelchair users about their weight-shifting activity as a means to promote healthy behaviors and prevent pressure ulcers. Termed the WiSAT (Wheelchair In-seat Activity Tracker), this technology is based upon technology used within a research project that monitored in-seat activity of wheelchair users [17,22]. Such a product can empower wheelchair users with knowledge about their behaviors associated with PrU prevention.…”