The Effects of Pressure Relief Methods at Wheelchair Seated Spinal Cord Injured Patients

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To find most effective pressure relief method in wheelchair seated spinal cord injured patients and to evaluate effectiveness of trunk lateral bending, trunk pulling and trunk forward flexion methods in practical environment METHOD: Twenty spinal cord injury patients were included in this study. After 5 cm air-filled cushion (ROHO(R)) was placed on wheelchair seat, patients were seated on wheelchair with neurtal position and interface pressure of buttock was measured by X-sensor 4.0 system. Patients took a posture lateral bending, trunk pulling, forward flexion methods. Mean and maximal pressure of buttock were measured at each pressure relief methods. RESULTS: Mean and maximal pressure of buttock were reduced by 90degrees trunk forward flexion (p<0.05). In trunk lateral bending method, pressure was reduced in non-weight bearing side of buttock, but pressure was highly elevated in weight bearing side. In trunk pulling method, pressure was elevated in both weigth bearing and non-weight bearing side. CONCLUSION: 90degrees trunk forward flexion method can be recommended to wheelchiar seated spinal cord injured patients for pressure relief of buttock.