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. 2018 Aug;27(3):181-187.
doi: 10.1016/j.jtv.2018.06.001. Epub 2018 Jun 12.

Microclimate evaluation of strap-based wheelchair seating systems for persons with spinal cord injury: A pilot study

Christine M Olney  1 , Amanda Simone  2 , Kristin Hanowski  2 , Thomas S Rector  2 , Gary D Goldish  3 , Andrew H Hansen  3 , John E Ferguson  3
Affiliations

Microclimate evaluation of strap-based wheelchair seating systems for persons with spinal cord injury: A pilot study

Christine M Olney et al. J Tissue Viability. 2018 Aug.

Abstract

Study purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess microclimate characteristics of two versions of a strap-based wheelchair seating system (perforated and solid straps) and to conduct preliminary microclimate comparisons of subjects' current wheelchair seating systems.

Materials and methods: In this pilot study, the microclimate properties of two variations (solid and perforated) of a strap-based seating system were compared with two commonly used seating systems. Six subjects sat on three different seating systems each for 100-min test periods, while temperature and relative humidity were measured with a single sensor adjacent to the skin-seat interface. Additionally, thermal images of the seat interface were collected before and after each test period.

Results: The thermal images revealed that the maximum surface temperature of the solid-strap-based seating system was significantly lower than the other seating systems, -1.21 °C. (95% CI -2.11 to -0.30, p = 0.02), immediately following transfer out of the seat. Five minutes after transferring out of the seat, the perforated-strap seat was significantly cooler than the other seats -0.94 °C. (95% CI -1.59 to -0.30), p = 0.01, as was the solid-strap-based seat, -1.66 °C. (95% CI -2.69 to -0.63), p = 0.01. There were no significant differences in interface temperature or relative humidity measured with the single sensor near the skin-seat interface.

Conclusion: This pilot study offers preliminary evidence regarding the microclimate of the strap-based seating systems compared with other common seating systems. Clinically, the strap-based seating system may offer another option for those who struggle with microclimate management.

Keywords: Microclimate; Seating; Spinal cord injury; Strap-based seating; Wheelchair seating.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Images of the four seating systems tested for microclimate characteristics including two strap-based seating systems, a foam-based and an air cell-based seating system.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.. Thermal images of four test seats.
First row: Pre-seating thermal images (at room temperature), Second row: Thermal images immediately after the subject transferred out of the seat after sitting for 100 min, and Third row: Thermal images 5 min after the transfer. For actual values please see Supplemental Data Set.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Temperatures (°C) and moistures (RH) near the skin-seat interface.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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