Wheelchair Cushion Comparison Study: SAFETY
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Hospital, Neurology, Orthopedic |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology, Orthopedics / Podiatry, Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 20 - 85 |
| Updated: | 10/21/2018 |
| Start Date: | May 31, 2018 |
| End Date: | March 2019 |
| Contact: | Cathy A Larson, Ph.D. |
| Email: | clarson@umflint.edu |
| Phone: | 810-762-3373 |
Comparison of the Safety of an Alternating-air-pressure and a Static Air Wheelchair Cushion for Healthy Adults and Adults With Spinal Cord Injury or Post-stroke
Purpose: To examine the safety of the use of two wheelchair cushions for healthy individuals
with intact sensation and individuals post stroke and spinal cord injury with impaired
sensation. The new Ease Alternating Pressure wheelchair cushion will be compared to a static
air cushion to examine interface pressure and skin responses in the areas of the buttock and
posterior thighs when subjects sit without moving (static condition) and during upper
extremity reaching activities (active condition). In addition, comfort, ease of transfer, and
postural stability will be monitored while sitting on both cushions under both static and
active conditions.
with intact sensation and individuals post stroke and spinal cord injury with impaired
sensation. The new Ease Alternating Pressure wheelchair cushion will be compared to a static
air cushion to examine interface pressure and skin responses in the areas of the buttock and
posterior thighs when subjects sit without moving (static condition) and during upper
extremity reaching activities (active condition). In addition, comfort, ease of transfer, and
postural stability will be monitored while sitting on both cushions under both static and
active conditions.
Twenty healthy adults (age range = 20 - 85 years) with intact buttock and bilateral posterior
thigh sensation and intact skin integrity will be recruited. Twenty additional individuals
(ages 20 - 85 years) with a history of stroke (n=10) and spinal cord injury (n=10) with
documented sensory impairment, but intact skin integrity in the area of the buttock and
posterior thighs will also be recruited. Individuals post-stroke will likely have impaired
sensation on one side of their buttock & leg; whereas, individuals post-spinal cord injury
will likely have impaired sensation bilaterally in the buttock and posterior thigh areas. The
goal is to recruit equal numbers of males and females with a variety of body builds (height,
weight, and body mass index) across the age range in both groups.
Procedures: In one 2 1/2 hour session, participants will a) sit still on [static condition]
and b) perform the dynamic task of reaching in multiple directions [active condition] on the
Ease alternating pressure cushion and on one static air cushion [randomized for order] for an
estimated duration of one hour (32 minutes x two cushions) so that pressure mapping
comparisons between cushions can be made. "The motion of the Ease cushions regularly shifts
those points of pressure [every 3 minutes], and allows fresh blood to flow where the pressure
has been lifted." Pressure mapping will capture the pressure amount, duration, and
distribution of pressure between the skin of the buttock and posterior thighs and the
wheelchair cushion surface. Documentation of the skin response (skin becomes pink, red, or
blanches), and the participant's subjective opinions of comfort, ease of transfer, and
postural stability will occur.
thigh sensation and intact skin integrity will be recruited. Twenty additional individuals
(ages 20 - 85 years) with a history of stroke (n=10) and spinal cord injury (n=10) with
documented sensory impairment, but intact skin integrity in the area of the buttock and
posterior thighs will also be recruited. Individuals post-stroke will likely have impaired
sensation on one side of their buttock & leg; whereas, individuals post-spinal cord injury
will likely have impaired sensation bilaterally in the buttock and posterior thigh areas. The
goal is to recruit equal numbers of males and females with a variety of body builds (height,
weight, and body mass index) across the age range in both groups.
Procedures: In one 2 1/2 hour session, participants will a) sit still on [static condition]
and b) perform the dynamic task of reaching in multiple directions [active condition] on the
Ease alternating pressure cushion and on one static air cushion [randomized for order] for an
estimated duration of one hour (32 minutes x two cushions) so that pressure mapping
comparisons between cushions can be made. "The motion of the Ease cushions regularly shifts
those points of pressure [every 3 minutes], and allows fresh blood to flow where the pressure
has been lifted." Pressure mapping will capture the pressure amount, duration, and
distribution of pressure between the skin of the buttock and posterior thighs and the
wheelchair cushion surface. Documentation of the skin response (skin becomes pink, red, or
blanches), and the participant's subjective opinions of comfort, ease of transfer, and
postural stability will occur.
Inclusion Criteria:
Control: Healthy adults
- no sensation or skin issues in the buttock or posterior thigh areas
Experimental groups: Diagnoses of stroke and spinal cord injury
- Impaired or absent sensation in the unilateral or bilateral buttock and posterior
thigh areas
- No other reasons to have impaired sensation in the buttock and posterior thighs other
than stroke or spinal cord injury (i.e. no peripheral nerve damage)
- No current wounds or a history of wounds (past 6 months) involving the buttock,
greater trochanters, or posterior thighs
Control and Experimental groups
- Bilateral hips and knees: passive range of motion at least 90 degrees
Exclusion Criteria:
Control and Experimental groups - No self-reported cardiac, pulmonary, orthopedic, or
neurological issues that would prevent sitting or performing reaching activities while
sitting on the cushions for a one-hour total duration
Experimental group
- No neurological diseases other than stroke or spinal cord injury
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