A dynamic seating intervention for wheelchair seating discomfort

Crane, BA and Holm, MB and Hobson, D and Cooper, RA and Reed, MP (2007) A dynamic seating intervention for wheelchair seating discomfort. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 86 (12). 988 - 993. ISSN 0894-9115

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a new user-adjustable wheelchair seating system designed to relieve discomfort for long-duration wheelchair users. DESIGN: This objective was carried out using the newly developed Tool for Assessing Wheelchair disComfort (TAWC) as the primary outcome measure. Two wheelchair users each tested two different designs and feedback from the wheelchair users regarding the first design was used to guide development of the second design. A single-subject research methodology was used, allowing long-duration (up to 2 wks per test) evaluation of the wheelchair seating systems and comparison of subject discomfort levels with those experienced during a baseline period using their own wheelchairs. The experimental wheelchair seating systems employed existing automotive seating with embedded pneumatic bladders that allowed adjustment of the seat and back-support characteristics. The test wheelchair also had tilt, recline, and elevating leg rests. RESULTS: The two subjects completed limited periods of testing with the first design, both finding poor results with either stable or increased levels of discomfort. Subject feedback was used to redesign the wheelchair seat. After redesign, both subjects tested the second design and found it substantially more comfortable. CONCLUSIONS: The selected research methodology was a very positive method for a progressive wheelchair seating design and the second design provided improved comfort for both users when compared with that experienced using their own wheelchairs and the first test wheelchair. Future research of this type of user-controlled technology is recommended. © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

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Details

Item Type:	Article
Status:	Published
Creators/Authors:	Creators Email Pitt Username ORCID Crane, BA Holm, MB mbholm@pitt.edu MBHOLM Hobson, D dhobson@pitt.edu DHOBSON Cooper, RA RCOOPER@pitt.edu RCOOPER Reed, MP
Centers:	Other Centers, Institutes, Offices, or Units > Human Engineering Research Laboratories
Date:	1 December 2007
Date Type:	Publication
Journal or Publication Title:	American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume:	86
Number:	12
Page Range:	988 - 993
DOI or Unique Handle:	10.1097/phm.0b013e3181583ed9
Schools and Programs:	School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences > Rehabilitation Science and Technology
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	0894-9115
MeSH Headings:	Buttocks--physiopathology; Disabled Persons; Electric Power Supplies; Equipment Design; Human Engineering; Humans; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Patient Satisfaction; Pilot Projects; Posture--physiology; Quality of Life; Technology Assessment, Biomedical; Time Factors; Wheelchairs--standards
PubMed ID:	17912138
Date Deposited:	10 Oct 2012 21:22
Last Modified:	02 Feb 2019 14:56
URI:	http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/id/eprint/15674

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