Backrest Shape Affects Head-Neck Alignment and Seated Pressure.
Unstable back support against gravity results in a forward head posture and contributes to buttocks pressure ulcers. However, the association between these health problems and a wheelchair backrest is unclear. Our newly developed wheelchair (N-WC) supports the back of the pelvis and thorax from obliquely underneath. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different backrest shapes on head-neck alignment and seated pressure. Data from 28 healthy subjects were analyzed. Outcome measures were head-neck alignment angles, support angles of the backrest, and pressure distributions on the supporting surfaces. Compared with a typical wheelchair that has a flat backrest, the seat pressure decreased and the center of pressure was located in the middle of both the seat and backrest in the N-WC. Moreover, the head-neck alignment when seated in the N-WC was upright. These results highlight the importance of the shape of the wheelchair backrest.
Atsuki
A
Ukita
Shigeo
S
Nishimura
Hirotoshi
H
Kishigami
Tatsuo
T
Hatta
D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000502:physiology*; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D014910:Wheelchairs; D055815:Young Adult