title: Toilet Grab-Bar Preference and Center of Pressure Deviation During Toilet Transfers in Healthy Seniors, Seniors With Hip Replacements, and Seniors Having Suffered a Stroke.
abstract: Multiple toilet grab-bar configurations are required by people with a diverse spectrum of disability. The study purpose was to determine toilet grab-bar preference of healthy seniors, seniors with a hip replacement, and seniors post-stroke, and to determine the effect of each configuration on centre of pressure (COP) displacement during toilet transfers.
  
  
  METHODS
  14 healthy seniors, 7 ambulatory seniors with a hip replacement, and 8 ambulatory seniors post-stroke participated in the study. Toilet transfers were performed with no bars (NB), commode (C), two vertical bars (2VB), one vertical bar (1VB), a horizontal bar (H), two swing-away bars (S) and a diagonal bar (D). COP was measured using pressure sensitive floor mats. Participants rated the safety, ease of use, helpfulness, comfort and preference for instalment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  2VB was most preferred and had the smallest COP deviation. Least preferred was H and NB. C caused largest COP displacement but had favourable ratings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preference and safety of the 2VB should be considered in the design of accessible toilets and in accessibility construction guidelines. However these results need to be verified in non-ambulatory populations. C is frequently prescribed, but generates large COP deviation, suggesting it may present an increased risk of falls.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Medicine , University of Ottawa , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Matthew Joel
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Amaya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arcelus
authors.forename: Paulette
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guitard
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Goubran
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sveistrup
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014038:Toilet Facilities
keywords: assistive devices; elder care; high-risk fall patients; stroke; workplace accommodations