Development of Advanced Personalized Modular Pressure Relief Seating Cushion Systems: Testing and User Evaluation
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
30 Veterans who are full-time wheelchair users will use personalized modular cushions for two weeks each. Personalized cushions will be created using a cushion fitting process the investigators have already developed and tested. Microenvironmental conditions will be monitored during use. A cost analysis will ensure the customized modular cushion applies value-driven principles. User satisfaction will be measured along with the effects on daily function, skin status and seated tissue health.
Description
A repeated measures clinical study design will be carried out with 30 Veterans. 'Pre-baseline' seated interface pressures will be assessed with study participants sitting on their own cushions and pelvic region skin checks carried out by the study Research Nurse. All participants will then receive customized modular cushions. Participants will be randomly assigned to Group A or Group B using a modified randomization scheme. Group A participants will first use a gel ball fitted cushion for 2 weeks during all daily living activities while seated in their wheelchair followed by use of a SquishINS…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Veterans with mobility impairments requiring full time use of a power or manual wheelchair who are served through the LSCDVAMC Wheeled Mobility Clinic. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * Inability to remain seated in the wheelchair for more than 4 hours/day
Interventions
- DeviceUse of GEL BALL FITTED MODULAR CUSHION
DAILY COMMUNITY USE OF GEL BALL FITTED MODULAR CUSHION for 2 weeks
- DeviceUse of SQUISHINS FITTED MODULAR CUSHION
DAILY COMMUNITY USE OF SQUISHINS FITTED MODULAR CUSHION for 2 weeks
Location
- Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OHCleveland, Ohio