Abstract
Background: People may use a wheelchair when they need assistance with mobility. Some users have to remain seated in their wheelchair for most of their awake time and for a lot of activities. The need for a well fitted and supportive wheelchair is important and, for those who use the wheelchair for many hours, peak pressure distribution is of interest to prevent pressure ulcers and discomfort. Aim: To describe how high local peak pressures may be distributed over risk areas for pressure ulcers in different wheelchair settings. Methods: Two groups of healthy adults were recruited (40 elderly and 30 younger individuals). Two standard models of manual wheelchairs were used together with two types of wheelchair cushions. Results: The elderly group had a higher peak pressure over the ischial tuberosity and increased posterior pelvic rotation in the shaped seat cushion. Both groups had higher peak pressure over the trochanter in the shaped seat cushion. Peak pressure was also higher over the coccyx for the elderly in the shaped seat cushion compared with the plain cushion; this was lower for the younger group. Discussion: The results indicate that age might influence the important physical prerequisites when fitting a wheelchair to an individual.
Highlights
In European countries, the number of wheelchair users increases as the population grows older and health care treatment develops
The need for a well fitted and supportive wheelchair is important and, for those who use the wheelchair for many hours, peak pressure distribution is of interest to prevent pressure ulcers and discomfort
Studies indicate that pressure ulcers are caused by high interface pressure maintained over prolonged periods and that pressure ulcers are associated with pain, impaired quality of life, loss of functions, increased risk of dying and higher health care costs [15] [19]
Summary
In European countries, the number of wheelchair users increases as the population grows older and health care treatment develops. Sweden had at least doubled [2] Wheelchair users, especially those who have reduced mobility, sensory impairments and who have been wheelchair users for a long time, are at risk of pressure ulcers. The need for a well fitted and supportive wheelchair is important and, for those who use the wheelchair for many hours, peak pressure distribution is of interest to prevent pressure ulcers and discomfort. Results: The elderly group had a higher peak pressure over the ischial tuberosity and increased posterior pelvic rotation in the shaped seat cushion. Peak pressure was higher over the coccyx for the elderly in the shaped seat cushion compared with the plain cushion; this was lower for the younger group. Discussion: The results indicate that age might influence the important physical prerequisites when fitting a wheelchair to an individual
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