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Reliability of bench tests of interface pressure
Stephen Sprigle1, William Dunlop, Larry Press
1Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA.
Assistive Technology : the Official Journal of RESNA
|February 6, 2004
Summary
Bench testing for wheelchair cushions shows reliable measures for pressure distribution, aiding in pressure ulcer prevention. However, some pressure variables are unreliable, requiring further validation for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Pressure ulcers are a significant concern for wheelchair users, necessitating effective wheelchair cushion selection.
- Optimizing buttock tissue loading through appropriate cushion choice is vital for preventing pressure ulcers.
- Standardized testing methods aim to simplify cushion selection by ensuring adequate pressure distribution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the test-retest reliability of interface pressure measurements using bench tests compared to human subject tests.
- To identify which pressure measurement variables are reliable for assessing wheelchair cushion performance.
Main Methods:
- Ten wheelchair cushions were tested according to a draft International Organization for Standardization (ISO) document for interface pressure measurement.
- Key variables measured included dispersion index, contact area, percent force in ischial regions, peak pressure index, and seating pressure index-standard deviation.
Main Results:
- Dispersion index, contact area, percent force in ischial regions, peak pressure index, and seating pressure index-standard deviation demonstrated reliable measures.
- Average pressure was found to be reliable but showed limited variability between cushions.
- Peak pressure, seating pressure index-skew (SPI-sk), and other percent force regions were found to be unreliable.
Conclusions:
- Certain bench interface pressure variables exhibit adequate intralaboratory repeatability for wheelchair cushion testing.
- Further research is needed to assess interlaboratory reliability and the validity of bench tests in predicting clinical outcomes.
- Validated bench test results could simplify and enhance the wheelchair cushion selection process for clinicians and users.