Gluteal Blood Flow and Oxygenation During Pressure Relief Movements and Muscle Activation in Wheelchair Users

Abstract

Pressure ulcers form a major problem in wheelchair users with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Risk factors include prolonged high interface pressure (IP) under bony prominences and decreased regional blood flow (BF) and oxygenation (%SO2). Common preventive measures, periodic pressure relief movements (PRMs) and specialized cushions, seem not adequate, possibly due to the inactive nature of these methods. Activation of the gluteal and hamstring muscles using electrical stimulation (ES) can change the shape of the buttocks while sitting (and hence improve pressure distribution) and increase BF and may therefore be an alternative method.