Using the Absorbed Power Method to Evaluate Effectiveness of Selected Seat Cushions During Manual Wheelchair Propulsion
By Wolf, Erik J., MS; Cooper, Rory A.; DiGiovine, Carmen P.; Boninger, Michael L.; Guo, Songfeng; Medical Engineering & Physics, Vol. 26, No. 9, pp. 799-806Publication Date: November 2004
Study conducted to determine if selected wheelchair cushions can cause potentially harmful whole-body vibrations for people who use wheelchairs. A total of 32 people who use wheelchairs as their primary mode of mobility participated in the study. Four of the most commonly prescribed wheelchair cushions were selected: (1) the Invacare PinDot Comfort-Mate, (2) the Varilite Solo, (3) the Sunrise Medical/Jay Active, and (4) the Roho Low-Profile. The participants propelled their wheelchairs over an activities of daily living simulation course while acceleration and force data were recorded. The cushions that were found to be the most effective were the Invacare PinDot and the Varilite Solo. Implications for future research are discussed.
Assistive Products Discussed: INVACARE COMFORT-MATE EXTRA CUSHION AND BASE
ROHO LOW PROFILE DRY FLOATATION CUSHION
Published by: Elsevier Inc. (Website:http://www.elsevier.com)
Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) (Web Site: http://www.ipem.ac.uk/ipem_public )
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J50054
