Shaw G
University of Tennessee, Memphis, College of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery 38163.
Assist Technol. 1991;3(1):11-23. doi: 10.1080/10400435.1991.10132176.
Studies have reported many wheelchair problems faced by the institutionalized elderly. Because knowledge is limited regarding seat comfort in general and for the nursing home population in particular, we elected to investigate seat comfort in order to gain insight needed to solve seat discomfort problems. This study's primary objective was to identify quantifiable indicators of seat comfort. Seat comfort was investigated in relation to peak sitting pressure, asymmetry of sitting pressure distribution, and seat cushion type. Fifty nursing home residents who were able to reliably rate the comfort of their wheelchairs were surveyed. The survey consisted of several questions regarding wheelchair seat comfort, wheelchair use, and functional and cognitive abilities. Measurements included peak sitting pressures and parameters of sitting posture. This study failed to identify robust indicators of seat comfort. It failed to confirm the hypothesis that higher peak sitting pressures correspond to greater discomfort. No relationship was found between the asymmetry of sitting pressure and reports of seat discomfort. Although we were unsuccessful in achieving statistically significant results, we did identify seat comfort indicators that are not only statistically significant but are also of practical clinical usefulness. Further research with additional subjects is required to identify cushions that are both comfortable and pressure relieving.
研究报告了机构养老老年人面临的许多轮椅问题。由于总体上关于座椅舒适性的知识有限，尤其是针对养老院人群，我们选择调查座椅舒适性，以便深入了解解决座椅不适问题所需的信息。本研究的主要目的是确定座椅舒适性的可量化指标。研究了座椅舒适性与峰值坐姿压力、坐姿压力分布不对称性以及座垫类型之间的关系。对50名能够可靠评价其轮椅舒适性的养老院居民进行了调查。该调查包括几个关于轮椅座椅舒适性、轮椅使用以及功能和认知能力的问题。测量包括峰值坐姿压力和坐姿参数。本研究未能确定可靠的座椅舒适性指标。它未能证实峰值坐姿压力越高对应更大不适的假设。坐姿压力不对称性与座椅不适报告之间未发现关联。尽管我们未能取得具有统计学意义的结果，但我们确实确定了不仅具有统计学意义而且具有实际临床实用性的座椅舒适性指标。需要对更多受试者进行进一步研究，以确定既舒适又能缓解压力的座垫。
