Evaluation of a novel wheelchair sitting concept on spinal-pelvic angles

Abstract

Excessively long wheelchair sitting has caused low back pain. This study was investigating the biomechanical effects of adjusting femoral, pelvic and lumbar supports during wheelchair sitting. The lumbar angles and pelvic angles were investigated using kinetic angle measurements system. Thirty participants with no known low back pain history were tested. The research results revealed that when lumbar and pelvic supports were simultaneously employed with the thickness of the supports remaining the same, the lumbar angle is closer to the angle in standing and the pelvic angle resembles the upright sitting angle in comparison with the other two support conditions. In conclusions, sitting with femoral support, pelvic support and lumbar support, the pelvic and lumbar angles was fit for the user of wheelchair, which could potentially reduce low back pain.