A basic design of a chair for hemiplegics with special reference to the back shape

The seating requirements of hemiplegic patients are studied extensively in the light of ergonomic principles and with the co-operation of the staffs and patients of 25 hospitals in the UK. It is suggested that the provision of a suitably contoured back and seat shape would greatly reduce the need to use other supporting mechanisms in order to seat the patient comfortably and effectively. Plans are given for a chair which should provide integrated support for the patient although no constructional plans are given. The back shape is designed with the aid of data from a survey of elderly people's back shapes and it is hoped that this part of the design will find application in chairs for geriatric patients generally. First, however, it is necessary thoroughly to test the design under working conditions.