Evaluation of the influence of different types of seats on postural control in individuals with paraplegia.
METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the importance of proprioceptive and vision information on different types of wheelchair seats with regard to postural control in paraplegic individuals during static posture.


METHODS
Centre of Rehabilitation at the University Hospital/FMRP-USP and Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic at University Hospital/UNICAMP, Brazil.


METHODS
This study involved 11 individuals with paraplegia. All individuals were submitted to an evaluation of static balance with their eyes open and closed in three different types of seats: wheelchair seat, foam seat and gel seat. Balance evaluation was performed by using the Polhemus system, in which body displacements and anteroposterior and mediolateral speeds were assessed in a static seated position in the different types of seats. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance. The differences were considered at P<0.05.


RESULTS
No statistical differences were found between the three types of seats in terms of displacements and anteroposterior and mediolateral speeds, or between seats with individuals keeping their eyes open or closed (P>0.05). However, it was observed that body displacements were more prominent toward an anteroposterior than a mediolateral direction.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that individuals with paraplegia tend to exhibit a more anteroposterior body displacement than a mediolateral one, with no significant differences between the types of seats in both situations of eyes open and closed.
Takara
K
K
Physiotherapy Course, Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Rehabilitation of Locomotor System, University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, Ribeirão Preto FMRP-USP, São Paulo, Brazil.
Gaspar
M I F A S
MI
Metring
N L
NL
Mateus-Vasconcelos
E C L
EC
Cliquet
A
A
Abreu
D C C
DC
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000592:standards*