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Journal article
The effect of wheelchair cushions with different properties on skin temperature, moisture and thermal perception during passive sitting in a warm environment
Disability and rehabiliation: assistive technology, Vol.First online
10/02/2026
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Introduction: the cushion microclimate is an important risk factor for pressure injury. todate, the microclimate responses to wheelchair cushions have not been assessed in warmenvironments where they are potentially most problematic. a cooling wheelchair cushionhas been developed to minimise temperature and moisture accumulation; however, noindependent research has been conducted on this cushion. this study aimed to evaluatethe effect of wheelchair cushions and a novel cooling wheelchair cushion on temperature,moisture and perception during passive sitting in a warm environment.
Methods: a randomised crossover study was conducted to determine microclimateresponses to three wheelchair cushions of differing properties. eighteen able-bodiedparticipants sat passively on each cushion for two hours in 28-30 °c. tympanic temperature,skin and groin temperature, relative humidity and thermal perception were measured.
Results: the cooling cushion produced significantly lower temperatures at the ischialtuberosities and the groin. the air cushion produced significantly lower temperatures atthe posterior thigh.
Conclusion: the novel cooling cushion was effective in reducing temperatures in theareas closest to the cooling element, while the air cushion effectively reduced thetemperature at the posterior thigh where the comparator cushions had foam properties.
Details
- Title
- The effect of wheelchair cushions with different properties on skin temperature, moisture and thermal perception during passive sitting in a warm environment
- Creators
- Lisa Couzens - Southern Cross UniversityKate Tuck - Southern Cross UniversityRachelle McNally - Southern Cross UniversityEv Innes - Southern Cross UniversityChristopher J. Stevens - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Disability and rehabiliation: assistive technology, Vol.First online
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group; PHILADELPHIA
- Identifiers
- 991013351871802368
- Copyright
- © 2026 the author(s).
- Academic Unit
- Human Sciences; Allied Health and Midwifery; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article