The effect of cushion properties on skin temperature and humidity at the body-support interface.
Assist Technol
; 30(1): 1-8, 2018.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27689690
The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of various cushions on skin temperature and moisture at the body-seat interface during a 2-hour period of continuous sitting. Seventy-eight participants were randomly assigned to sit on one of the three types of wheelchair cushions for unrelieved sitting for over 2 hours. Skin temperature and relative humidity (RH) were measured under the subjects' ischial tuberosities and thighs bilaterally with digital temperature and humidity sensors. Data were collected before sitting and at 15-minute intervals thereafter. Participants sitting on foam-fluid hybrid cushions showed significantly lower skin temperatures than those sitting on air-filled and foam cushions (p < 0.05), but RH did not differ significantly among the cushions (p = 0.97). The three cushions produced a similar increasing trend in RH over time and RH reached a plateau during the 2-hour sitting period. To select the appropriate wheelchair cushion, the microclimate (heat and moisture control) between the body-seat interface should be considered as well as pressure distribution. In comparison with foam-fluid hybrid cushions, the air-filled rubber and foam cushions tended to increase skin temperature by several degrees after prolonged sitting. However, cushion materials did not have significant differences in moisture accumulations.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Assist Technol
Asunto de la revista:
REABILITACAO
Año:
2018
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Taiwán
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos