Pressure distribution measurements in wheelchair use

Abstract

There is a growing number of mobility-impaired and wheelchair-dependent patients caused by diseases and injuries of the central nervous system. The risk is high for pressure sores to develop due to disturbances of the motor, sensory, and autonomic nervous system. Numerous seating systems for prophylaxis and treatment of decubitus ulcer are available. To identify risk parameters, the literature on animal experiments regarding pressure ulcers was reviewed. A study on the reproducibility of the analysis method with capacitive sensors tested in ten paraplegics with 470 measurements is presented. It shows the reliability of the procedure.