Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of various durations of wheelchair
tilt-in-space and recline on enhancing skin perfusion over the ischial tuberosity
in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Repeated-measures, intervention
and outcomes measure design. SETTING: University research laboratory.
PARTICIPANTS: Power wheelchair users with SCI (N=9). INTERVENTIONS: Three
protocols of various durations (3min, 1min, and 0min) of wheelchair tilt-in-space
and recline were randomly assigned to the participants. Each protocol consisted
of a baseline 15-minute sitting, a duration of 0- to 3-minute reclined and
tilted, a second 15-minute sitting, and a 5-minute recovery. The position at the
baseline and the second sitting was no tilt/recline of the participant and at the
reclined and tilted and recovery was at 35 degrees tilt-in-space and 120 degrees
recline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Skin perfusion response to tilt and recline was
assessed by laser Doppler and was normalized to mean skin perfusion at the
baseline sitting. RESULTS: The results showed that mean skin perfusion during
recovery at the 3-minute duration was significantly higher than that at the
1-minute duration (P<.017) and mean skin perfusion was not significantly
different between the 1-minute and 0-minute durations (not significant). Skin
perfusion during the second sitting was significantly higher at the 3-minute
duration than at the 1-minute and 0-minute durations (P<.017). CONCLUSIONS: Our
findings suggest that performing the 3-minute duration of wheelchair
tilt-in-space and recline is more effective than the 1-minute duration in
enhancing skin perfusion of weight-bearing soft tissues.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS