Spinal Cord Injury and Pressure Ulcer Prevention: Using Functional Activity in Pressure Relief

People with spinal cord injuries are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers due to sitting for long periods. Regular movements to relieve this pressure are often not done well. This study looks at whether incorporating these movements into daily tasks, like using a computer, can help reduce pressure. The study involved observing how people with spinal cord injuries currently relieve pressure while using computers. It also tested a modified computer setup that encouraged forward reaching to see if it could lower pressure on the seated area. The study found that a forward reach significantly redistributed pressure, which helps to prevent pressure ulcers. Most normal movements didn't reduce pressure enough.

• 1
  The majority of movements participants performed during normal computer use yielded less than a 25% reduction in interface pressure compared to normal sitting, indicating low effectiveness for pressure relief.
• 2
  Reaching forward by 150% of arm length during an adapted computer activity significantly reduced dispersion index (DI), angle of trunk tilt, and peak pressure index (PPI) for both ischial tuberosity regions compared to normal sitting.
• 3
  A 150% forward reach incorporated into a computer activity significantly decreased interface pressure by approximately 52% at the ischial region.