Investigation of the effect of a 15-degree tilt-in-space on the fluctuation of shear forces exerted on the buttocks when the back support is reclined.
Kenichi Kobara, Yasuyuki Nagata, Daisuke Fujita and 3 others
PMID 34776619WHAT IT FOUND
Adding 15-degree tilt before reclining lowered measured forces on the buttocks in 11 healthy men, but increased force fluctuation during the movement.
It reduced trunk slide. This is seating mechanics, not proven pressure injury prevention.
Key findings
01In 11 healthy adult males, the 15-degree tilt-in-space condition lowered parallel and perpendicular forces on the buttocks compared with the 0-degree tilt condition at all back-support positions.
02The 15-degree tilt-in-space condition increased the fluctuation range of the parallel and perpendicular forces during reclining and return compared with the 0-degree tilt condition.
03The trunk slid less distance down the back support in the 15-degree tilt-in-space condition than in the 0-degree tilt condition.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study was done in 11 healthy adult males, not older wheelchair users, so it may not apply to patients with spinal kyphosis or skin problems. The measurement time was short, and fatigue-related postural collapse was not evaluated. The friction between the experimental chair and clothing may differ from real wheelchairs. It measured forces, not pressure injuries or patient outcomes.
Declared interests
Funded by a grant-in-aid from the 2020 Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare expense budget for medical welfare studies and research. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that 15-degree tilt-in-space prevents pressure injuries or is safer overall. It reduced forces in 11 healthy adult males but increased force fluctuation, and no wheelchair users or pressure injury outcomes were studied.