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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 obli...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of healthcare engineering 2015, Vol.6 (2), p.179-192
Main Authors: Ukita, Atsuki, Nishimura, Shigeo, Kishigami, Hirotoshi, Hatta, Tatsuo
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary: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.
ISSN:2040-2295
2040-2309
DOI:10.1260/2040-2295.6.2.179