title: Influence of different types of seat cushions on the static sitting posture in individuals with spinal cord injury.
abstract: METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of the Postural Assessment Software PAS/SAPO in the posture analysis of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) during sitting position and to analyze if the use of different types of seat cushions-gel and foam, with no cushion-can interfere in the individual's posture during sitting position.
  
  
  METHODS
  Centre of Rehabilitation at the University Hospital (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight individuals, four paraplegics and four tetraplegics with SCI and 20 healthy individuals participated in the study. Photos were taken of individuals in the sitting position using foam, gel cushions and with no cushion. They were analyzed using the PAS/SAPO. The alignment of the anterior-superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the posterior pelvic tilt were evaluated from the angle formed between the ASIS and the greater trochanter of the femur.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The group of healthy individuals presented the best postural alignment when compared with the group with SCI, both for the ASIS alignment (P<0.05) and for the degree of posterior pelvic tilt (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in the variables analyzed when the seat cushions were compared.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The different types of cushions did not alter the sitting posture; however, individuals with SCI showed worse postural alignment than the healthy individuals. PAS/SAPO was demonstrated to be useful for postural assessment.
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Course, Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Rehabilitation of Locomotor System, University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, Ribeirão Preto FMRP-USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Metring
authors.forename: M I F A S
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Gaspar
authors.forename: E C L
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Mateus-Vasconcelos
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: D C C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: de Abreu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011187:Posture; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014910:Wheelchairs; D055815:Young Adult