Wheelchair back-support options: functional outcomes for persons with recent spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the functional outcomes for people with a recent spinal cord injury (SCI) when using 3 different back-support options.


METHODS
Repeated-measures within-subject comparison.


METHODS
Rehabilitation center.


METHODS
Twenty-seven manual wheelchair users with recent SCI.


METHODS
Three types of wheelchair back supports--a standard sling upholstery, a Jay J2 back, and a Pindot PaxBac--were used by each participant to evaluate performance of 4 functional tasks.


METHODS
Functional tasks included timed forward wheeling, ramp ascent, distance for forward vertical reach, and 1-stroke push. Product satisfaction was also rated.


RESULTS
For most participants, best performance for each task varied with back support used. Significant differences in functional performance were found for the reaching activity (P=.01), with greater reach when the J2 was used. Satisfaction ratings also differed significantly (P=.017), with participants indicating greater satisfaction with the J2. Participants' choice of back support varied and did not consistently correspond with best performance.


CONCLUSIONS
Except for reaching, performance of functional activities did not differ depending on back support used. Objective evaluation of reaching ability may assist in product decision making. Inclusion of a consistent battery of functional tasks could provide a standardized reference point for clients' subjective evaluations.
May
Laura A
LA
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2-50 Corbett Hall, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G4. laura.may@ualberta.ca
Butt
Carla
C
Kolbinson
Karen
K
Minor
Linda
L
Tulloch
Kathy
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014910:Wheelchairs