Article

Pressure ulcers are a large problem in individuals who use a wheelchair for their
mobility and have limited trunk stability and motor function. Because no relation
between interface pressure and pressure ulcer development has been established
and no clinical threshold for pressure ulcer development can be given, looking at
the sitting behavior of nondisabled individuals is important. Nondisabled
individuals do not develop pressure ulcers because they continuously shift
posture. We analyzed the sitting behavior of 25 nondisabled male subjects by
using a combination of interface pressure measurement and subcutaneous tissue
oxygenation measurement by means of the Oxygen to See. These subjects shifted
posture on average 7.8 +/- 5.2 times an hour. These posture shifts were merely a
combination of posture shifts in the frontal and sagittal plane. Subcutaneous
oxygen saturation increased on average 2.2% with each posture adjustment,
indicating a positive effect of posture shifts on tissue viability. The results
of this study can be used as a reference for seating interventions aimed at
preventing pressure ulcers. Changing the sitting load at least every 8 minutes is
recommended for wheelchair users.

Langue : ANGLAIS