Article

The goal of this study was thus to determine if people with different
types of wheelchair backrests on their personal wheelchairs reported different
levels of comfort as measured by the Tool for Assessing Wheelchair disComfort
(TAWC). METHODS: Participants were between 18 and 80 years of age and were manual
wheelchair users. The TAWC was used to assess the participants' wheelchair
seating discomfort levels with the wheelchair and seating systems. RESULTS: We
surveyed 131 wheelchair users to assess the comfort of their backrests on their
personal wheelchairs and found a trend suggesting that rigid backrests are were
less comfortable as compared with sling backrests. This finding was statistically
significant in a subgroup of participants with tetraplegia. CONCLUSIONS: Although
many clinicians expect rigid backrests to be more comfortable because they may
provide more support, the higher discomfort ratings among rigid backrest users
with tetraplegia may be due to sub-optimal shape, fit, adjustment or user
preferences. Implications for Rehabilitation Development of a measure for
long-term seating discomfort is needed. Design and development of better rigid
backrests that are functional but provide adequate comfort are in need.

Langue : ANGLAIS