title: Clinical analysis of a CAD/CAM system for custom seating: a comparison with hand-sculpting methods.
abstract: A CAD/CAM system for manufacturing custom seating inserts was evaluated within a moderately to severely disabled population. Using the Otto Bock Shape System, 25 CAD/CAM seats were manufactured at a remote facility and compared to 9 seats manufactured using hard-sculpting techniques. Clinician and client questionnaires were completed for each seat to assess satisfaction, fitting/manufacturing times, and to collect demographic data. The CAD/CAM method was significantly better (p < 0.05) than the hand-sculpting method in terms of on-site fabrication time. No significant differences were found for initial fitting time, final fitting time, clinician insert rating, and client satisfaction. These results support the CAD/CAM method as an effective and clinically efficient technique for making custom wheelchair seats.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada. elemaire@rohcg.on.ca
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Lemaire
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Upton
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paialunga
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boucher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data