Abstract/Details

Nursing home wheelchair users: seat comfort and peak pressure.

Shaw, C.G.   University of Strathclyde (United Kingdom) ProQuest Dissertations Publishing,  1997. U110230.

Abstract (summary)

Many nursing home residents have problems related to wheelchair use. In order to better define and to begin to solve these problems five studies were undertaken.

This first study surveyed the wheelchair needs of 200 randomly selected residents. Of the 139 responses analyzed, 80% experienced problems related to discomfort, mobility, or posture. Seat discomfort was the primary complaint.

The next study investigated seat comfort in relation to peak sitting pressure, asymmetry of sitting pressure distribution, and seat cushion type in order to identify an objective comfort indicator. Comfort ratings and sitting pressures were recorded for 50 residents. Although no robust relationship was found which could be used as an objective comfort indicator, the strength of the cushion used/perceived comfort relationship merited further investigation. Also of interest was the finding that some cushion types, such as the commonly used folded cloth pad, produced dangerously high peak pressures.

The third study investigated the hypothesis that select commercially available cushions, (firm foam and a gel/foam cushion) provide better comfort and lower peak sitting pressures than traditionally provided cushions (cloth pads and eggcrate foam cushions). Comfort ratings and sitting pressures were recorded for 21 residents. Due to the superior performance of the eggcrate cushion, the results fell short of confirming the study hypothesis. However, three cushions, the eggcrate, foam, and gel/foam, were identified which provided statistically significantly lower peak sitting pressure than both the cloth pad and the mix of cushions and pads assessed in the previous study. Two follow-up investigations explored the parameter of peak pressure gradient as it related to peak sitting pressure and the good performance of the eggcrate cushion. An evaluation of the eggcrate and foam cushions' ability to maintain supportive qualities was conducted.

This series of studies confirmed the magnitude of the need for better wheelchair seating for elderly nursing home residents.

Indexing (details)


Subject
Biophysics
Classification
0786: Biophysics
Identifier / keyword
(UMI)AAIU110230; Biological sciences
Title
Nursing home wheelchair users: seat comfort and peak pressure.
Author
Shaw, C.G.
Number of pages
1
Degree date
1997
School code
0359
Source
DAI-C 70/23, Dissertation Abstracts International
Place of publication
Ann Arbor
Country of publication
United States
University/institution
University of Strathclyde (United Kingdom)
University location
Scotland
Degree
Ph.D.
Source type
Dissertation or Thesis
Language
English
Document type
Dissertation/Thesis
Dissertation/thesis number
U110230
ProQuest document ID
301494508
Copyright
Database copyright ProQuest LLC; ProQuest does not claim copyright in the individual underlying works.
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/docview/301494508