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.
In European countries, the number of wheelchair users increases as the population grows older and health care treatment develops. In 2005, about 100,000 people used wheelchairs in Sweden, of which 80% were 80 years and older and about two-thirds were women [
Information from one of the largest units for neurological rehabilitation in Sweden (personal communication), reports that the most common locations of pressure ulcers in the population of wheelchair users are ischial tuberosity 42%, followed by coccyx 38% and trochanter 8%. The remaining 12% are in other locations. Pressure ulcers can affect individuals of all ages, but the risk increases with age in combination with multiple diseases, traumas and malnutrition [
Tissue damage depends on the extent and duration of pressure and on the sensitivity of the individual and of the tissue [
The aim was to describe how high local peak pressures may be distributed over risk areas for pressure ulcers in different wheelchair settings.
Data from two previous studies that included two groups of healthy individuals were further analysed to identify the location of peak pressures in seating [
Group A: age 67 - 82 years (n = 40) | Group B: age 20 - 53 years (n = 30) | p value | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Gender, n (%) | χ2 = 0.278 | 0.60 ns | ||
Women | 27 (67.5) | 22 (73) | ||
Men | 13 (32.5) | 8 (27) | ||
Age (years), mean (min-max) | 75 (67 - 82) | 28 (20 - 53) | t = 27.8 | <0.001 |
Weight (kg), mean (min-max) | 77.6 (54 - 100) | 65 (50 - 100) | t = 4.53 | <0.001 |
Height (cm), mean (min-max) | 167 (155 - 191) | 170 (158 - 187) | t = −1.29 | 0.20 ns |
ns, not significant.
Two standard models of manual wheelchairs were used for the study. One wheelchair setting had an individually adjustable sling-back support attached with Velcro for modifying back support curvature; the other had a sling-back support without the Velcro for modification but with an external lumbar support. The wheelchair cushions used included one standard flat foam cushion and one shaped positioning seat cushion. The wheelchairs were set up in an upright seating position with the same seat and back angles (back seat angle 100˚, seat angle 100˚). Armrests were removed to prevent pressure loading on the armrests. The participants sat in each of two wheelchair settings for 10 minutes while the pressure was registered and documented. In addition, pelvic rotation was registered after sitting for 10 minutes.
Group A (elderly individuals):
Test set-up R2 A: Standard wheelchair with a standard flat foam cushion and individually adjusted back support (Velcro straps).
Test set-up R3 A: Standard wheelchair with a shaped positioning seat cushion and individually adjusted back support (Velcro straps).
Group B (younger individuals):
Test set-up R2 B: Standard wheelchair with a standard flat foam cushion and an individually adjusted back support (Velcro straps)
Test set-up R3 B: Standard wheelchair with a shaped positioning seat cushion and a fixed back support supplemented with external lumbar support (JayTM lumbar support,
Interface pressure was registered using the FSA (Force Sensing Array, Vista Medical). The pressure mat was used to document peak pressures after sitting for 10 minutes [
Pelvic rotation was measured with a study-specific inclinometer (RodbyInnovation AB). The same type of instrument has been found sufficiently valid compared with X-ray findings in earlier studies [
Highest peak pressures from the ischial tuberosity, trochanter and coccyx were identified and documented from existing pressure maps. Data were analysed by the authors supported by professional statisticians, using the Statistical Analysis System statistics program. Results were presented as descriptive (mean and standard deviations) as well as calculated differences between the wheelchair settings. For statistical analysis, statistical significance was determined as p < 0.05, with a 95% confidence interval. Because no data from similar earlier studies were available, no power analysis was made to calculate for sample size.
Ethical considerations
All participants were informed about the study aim and process, that participation was voluntary and anonymous, and how the results were going to be used and presented. All participants gave informed consent before data collection. The study did not require approval from the local ethics committee because all participants were healthy individuals and the testing procedure was not expected to have any effect on any physical or psychological function.
Gender, height and weight did not have a significant correlation with peak pressures (p > 0.05) for any of the study groups. In addition, no differences in peak pressure between the left and right sides of the seating surface were found in any of the wheelchair settings or study groups (p > 0.05). Thus, these results are not further reported or discussed. Nevertheless, the study groups have been reported separately because the wheelchair set-ups were slightly different and the groups differed regarding age, which is likely to affect the body composition and posture in seating.
The results are presented as wheelchair set-ups R2 (standard wheelchair with standard seat cushion and individually adjusted back support) and R3 (standard wheelchair with shaped positioning seat cushion). The elderly group had individually adjusted back support with Velcro straps and the younger group had a fixed sling-back support supplemented with external lumbar support (JayTM) placed at the upper part of the pelvis and the lumbar curve.
The result showed that the elderly had a higher peak pressure on the ischial tuberosity in wheelchair set-up R3 (the shaped seat cushion) compared to R2 (the standard cushion) (p < 0.05). This difference was not found in the younger group (p = 0.16). The peak pressure over the trochanter area was higher in R3 than R2 in both groups; p < 0.001 in the elderly group, p < 0.01 in the younger group (
The results indicated increased posterior pelvic rotation in R3 for the elderly group, whereas the younger group had increased posterior pelvic rotation in R2, which might explain the increased peak pressure over the coccyx in R2 for the younger group (
No significant correlation between pelvic rotation and peak pressure in wheelchair set-up R3 was found for any of the participating groups or pressure areas. Nor were there any correlations between pelvic rotation in the elderly group in wheelchair set-up R2 and ischial tuberosity, trochanter or coccyx areas. For the younger group, there was a correlation between pelvic rotation and peak pressure over the trochanter (p < 0.05) and coccyx (p < 0.05) (
Peak pressure R2 (mmHg) | Peak pressure R3 (mmHg) | Difference (mmHg) | Difference (%) | t | pvalue | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ischial tuberosity, mean (SD) | 121.5 (50.3) | 128.8 (48.8) | 7.3 (43.7) | 14.9 (44.5) | 2.12 | 0.041 |
Trochanter, mean (SD) | 79.8 (31.3) | 129.6 (39.4) | 49.8 (37.6) | 78.6 (70.3) | 7.07 | <0.001 |
Coccyx, mean (SD) | 65.2 (31.1) | 74.2 (31.4) | 9.08 (35.02) | 29.6 (70.7) | 2.65 | 0.012 |
SD, standard deviation.
Peak pressure R2 (mmHg) | Peak pressure R3 (mmHg) | Difference (mmHg) | Difference (%) | t | pvalue | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ischial tuberosity, mean (SD) | 111.4 (29.9) | 116.7 (31.9) | 6.3 (37.5) | 10.7 (39.1) | 1.47 | 0.152 ns |
Trochanter, mean (SD) | 71.2 (15.1) | 88.6 (28.1) | 13.5 (29.1) | 19.3 (34.9) | 2.97 | 0.006 |
Coccyx, mean (SD) | 39.0 (13.1) | 23.2 (9.2) | −16.3 (12.02) | −37.1 (24.9) | −8.02 | <0.001 |
ns, not significant; SD, standard deviation.
Pelvic rotation R2 (˚) | Pelvic rotation R3 (˚) | Difference | Difference (%) | t | pvalue | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Group A, mean (SD) | 7.9 (5.0) | 12.3 (5.4) | 4.39 (4.96) | 91.6 (166.8) | 3.47 | 0.002 |
Group B, mean (SD) | 10.5 (4.1) | 6.4 (5.1) | −4.2 (4.83) | −38.8 (44.3) | −4.64 | <0.001 |
Group A | Group B | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
rvalue | pvalue | rvalue | pvalue | |
Ischial tuberosity | −0.020 | 0.904 ns | 0.088 | 0.643 ns |
Trochanter | 0.070 | 0.670ns | 0.414 | 0.023 |
Coccyx | 0.253 | 0.116 ns | 0.398 | 0.03 |
ns, not significant.
Group A | Group B | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
rvalue | pvalue | rvalue | pvalue | |
Ischial tuberosity | 0.169 | 0.299 ns | −0.187 | 0.342 ns |
Trochanter | −0.186 | 0.252 ns | 0.111 | 0.574 ns |
Coccyx | 0.040 | 0.806 ns | 0.043 | 0.827 ns |
A wheelchair might be seen as a relatively simple assistive device but with a substantial number of components and accessories. These components/accessories need to be individually fitted to enable comfort and function and prevent pressure ulcers. In general, an upright and functional position supported by a wheelchair with proper dimensions and with a shaped back and seat unit is recommended. For persons who use a wheelchair as their main seating furniture, a pressure-relieving seat cushion is often recommended due to the risk of pressure ulcers.
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 [
The aim of this study was to describe how local peak pressures were distributed over those areas most sensitive to high pressures in seating: the ischial tuberosity, trochanter and coccyx. The study was based on data from two previous research studies in which groups of elderly and younger healthy individuals participated [
In both groups, the results showed increased interface pressure over the trochanter in the shaped positioning seat cushion compared with the standard cushion. This may not come as a surprise given that the purpose of a shaped positioning seat cushion is to support the pelvis by letting the pelvis sink into a “sitting cavity”, which aims to reduce pressure over the ischial tuberosity by increasing the pressure over the trochanter area, compared with a flat non-shaped seat cushion. However, the trochanter area is also at risk for pressure ulcer development and high peak pressures should thus be observed and followed over time. There were some differences between the groups. The elderly group showed increased posterior rotation in R3. This might explain the increased pressure in all three areas (ischial tuberosity, trochanter and coccyx)with the shaped positioning seat cushion compared with the standard cushion. The results for the younger group showed increased posterior rotation of the pelvis in R2, which could explain the increased pressure on the coccyx with the standard cushion. However, the younger group also had increased pressure on the trochanter with the shaped positioning seat cushion, but, unlike the elderly group, there was no increase in pressure on the ischial tuberosity and coccyx with the shaped positioning seat cushion. An explanatory factor for the difference between the groups might be that the elderly group had difficulties maintaining an upright pelvic position due to age-related stiffness and less muscle strength, which in turn might cause increased pressure at all points [
The wheelchair is a seating unit, but it provides the opportunity for users to maintain bodily functions, prevent damage and to provide an opportunity for active life based on the individual’s condition. For individuals for whom the wheelchair becomes the primary seating unit, it should be viewed as a body orthosis on wheels and should therefore be individually adjusted [
The prerequisites of the two study groups differed in several aspects. Apart from age (which was planned for) weight also differed. However, weight had no correlation with peak pressure results for any of the groups, indicating that peak pressure is not dependent on weight. The wheelchair equipment differed between the groups because the wheelchair and cushion manufacturers were different. However, the wheelchairs were adjusted to the same seat and back support angles, all footrests and armrests were removed and the same type of seat cushions and back supports were used for the two different set-ups. Nevertheless, the differences between the groups might explain some of the results. Using a positioning seat cushion might require increased support for the upper part of the pelvis and the lumbar back as was given for the younger group in set-up B [
Peak pressures might be higher with a shaped cushion and individually adjusted lumbar support, whereby the person gets support for a more upright pelvic position, which in turn facilitates breathing and a number of different activities. The goal to support a more upright position is of great relevance; however risk factors such as high local pressures should be carefully followed over time. It is necessary to follow up interface pressure especially for the elderly, the fragile and the population with spinal cord injuries in whom mobility is impaired, skin is less elastic, subcutaneous fat is reduced, blood vessels are impaired and sensory perception is decreased [
The authors would like to thank all participants and all personal helping us with the data collection.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
Timm, M. and Samuelsson, K. (2019) Wheelchair Seating: Peak Pressure Distribution in Young versus Elderly Healthy Controls. Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 7, 25-34. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojtr.2019.72003