title: Utilization and user satisfaction with alternating pressure air cushions: a pilot study of at-risk individuals with spinal cord injury.
abstract: An appropriate wheelchair cushion is integral to pressure ulcer (PU) prevention for the wheelchair user with SCI. For users who find it difficult to remember or perform weight shifts, an alternating pressure air cushion (APAC) may off-load pressure to minimize PU risk. APACs are considered mobility assistive technology (AT). Effective AT delivery includes consideration of the AT consumer as a unique individual. The Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST) is a structured and standardized method to measure user satisfaction with AT.
  
  
  
  Twelve full time wheelchair users with SCI were provided with an APAC six times for 2 weeks daily home use every 3 months. At the completion of the 18-month study period, the 8-variable QUEST 2.0b questionnaire was applied to evaluate satisfaction with APAC use.
  
  
  
  Users were generally quite satisfied with APAC weight (p < 0.01 relative to neutral). Durability was more likely to be an area of concern. Overall, 92% of participants considered themselves quite satisfied or very satisfied with APAC use (p < 0.001).
  
  
  
  Users with SCI were satisfied with the overall performance of the APAC tested after repeated periods of use. The majority of user's were very satisfied with APAC comfort overall. Implications for Rehabilitation Abandonment of AT may be reduced if user satisfaction is evaluated. The QUEST 2.0b is a useful and valid measure of user satisfaction with alternating pressure air cushions. In the current study cohort, users with SCI were satisfied with the performance and comfort of the APAC tested after repeated periods of use.
authors: a Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , MetroHealth Medical Center , Cleveland , OH , USA .|b Department of Biomedical Engineering , Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland , OH , USA .
authors: Gary A
authors: GA
authors: Wu
authors: c Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA .
authors: Susan L
authors: SL
authors: Garber
authors: a Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , MetroHealth Medical Center , Cleveland , OH , USA .|d Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Cleveland , OH , USA , and.|e Departments of Orthopaedics and Biomedical Engineering , Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland , OH , USA.
authors: Kath M
authors: KM
authors: Bogie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014910:Wheelchairs; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Comfort; device performance; pressure relief; weight-shifting; wheelchair seating