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The effect of wheelchair cushion properties on the microclimate at the cushion-user interface1.38 MB
Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open
Journal article
The effect of wheelchair cushion properties on the microclimate at the cushion-user interface: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Australian occupational therapy journal, Vol.71(4), pp.612-626
08/2024
PMID: 38296464
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Introduction
Pressure injuries are a preventable yet highly prevalent health concern. Wheelchair cushion prescription can have significant implications for wheelchair users' risk of pressure injury development, which can impact functional abilities and quality of life. The efficacy of a wheelchair cushion to redistribute pressure has been well-researched, but the efficacy to manage the microclimate is less clear, particularly in warm-hot environments. The aim of this study was to systematically review studies examining the effect of wheelchair cushions on temperature, moisture and thermal perception to determine which cushions are superior to improve these responses.
Method
A systematic review with meta-analyses of randomised cross-over and randomised control trials of wheelchair cushion interventions on measures of temperature, moisture, and thermal perception was conducted.
Results
Eight studies were identified that met the eligibility criteria and six meta-analyses were conducted. Pooled analyses identified a significantly lower temperature on foam-gel cushions compared to air cushions (MD = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.31, 1.29; p = 0.002) and a significantly lower temperature on foam-gel cushions compared to foam cushions (SMD = 0.76, 95%CI; 0.45, 1.06; p < 0.00001). Pooled analyses also demonstrated significantly lower relative humidity (i.e., moisture) on foam cushions compared to foam-gel cushions (p = 0.02). Differences in thermal perception were inconclusive due to limited data found.
Conclusion
It is clear that not one cushion is ideal in managing all aspects of microclimate, as foam-gel cushions were the superior cushion to manage temperature and foam cushions were the superior cushion to manage moisture. This article provides occupational therapists and other health professionals with evidence-based information to assist with wheelchair cushion prescription that minimises the temperature and moisture accumulation, and associated risk of pressure injury for wheelchair users.
Details
- Title
- The effect of wheelchair cushion properties on the microclimate at the cushion-user interface: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Creators
- Lisa Couzens - Southern Cross UniversityBenjamin Peterson - Central Queensland UniversityEv Innes - Southern Cross UniversityChristopher J. Stevens - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Australian occupational therapy journal, Vol.71(4), pp.612-626
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- Identifiers
- 991013167592302368
- Copyright
- © 2024 The Authors. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Occupational Therapy Australia. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License. Open access publishing facilitated by Southern Cross University, as part of the Wiley - Southern Cross University agreement via the Council of Australian University Librarians.
- Academic Unit
- Human Sciences; Allied Health and Midwifery; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article