To describe the health behaviour of persons with spinal cord injury(SC I) living in the community and the relationships between health behaviour, respondent/injury characteristics, and health-related variables
Postal survey
Questionnaire
The Spinal Cord Injury Lifestyle Scale (SCILS) [13]. The General Health scale of the SF-36 [14]. The Dutch questionnaire version of the Barthel Index (Post et al., 1995)
To explore if a traditional pressure relief of 15–30 seconds was an effective pressure relief
Retrospective review
Tissue oxygenation measured in sitting position (loaded) and during pressure relief (unloaded) to investigate the duration of pressure relief required for loaded TcPO2 to recover to unloaded levels
Participants’ own wheelchair
The Oxford Pressure Monitor, (Talley Group Ltd)
Time spent in pressure relief; Transcutaneous oxygen tension
To investigate the relieving effect on interface pressure of an alternate sitting protocol involving a sitting posture that reduces ischial support
Repeated measures
(20 AB)
Two 1 hr protocols. Normal sitting with wheelchair push ups once every 20 minutes. Normal sitting and support over ischial area removed every 10 minutes
Intelligent Pressure Ulcer Prevention Cushion seating system
Xsensor pressure mapping system (Xsensor Technology Corp., Calgary, Canada)
Total contact area; average pressure; maximum pressure;
To study the effect on tissue perfusion of relieving interface pressure using standard wheelchair push ups compared with a mechanical automated dynamic pressure relief system
Repeated measures
(20 AB)
Two 1 hr protocols. Normal sitting with wheelchair push ups once every 20 minutes. Normal sitting and support over ischial area removed every 10 minutes
Intelligent Pressure Ulcer Prevention Cushion seating system
Xsensor pressure mapping system (Xsensor Technology Corp., Calgary, Canada)
Total contact area; average pressure; maximum pressure; tissue perfusion
To investigate the variation in sitting pressure distribution and location of the points of maximum pressure with rotation of the pelvis, gender, and body characteristics
Repeated measures
Forward and backward rotation of the pelvis
Kistler platform
A pressure measuring device [28]. A mirror box [29]. A small antenna attached to the sacrum
Pelvis rotation; location of the points of maximum pressure; pressure distribution; pelvic angle
To provide an insight into wheelchair users preventative health behaviours/ pressure relief behaviours
Postal questionnaire
Questionnaire
Postal Questionnaire: self assessment of physical capability, past frequency of pressure relieving movements, perceived risk, attribution of responsibility for the performance of pressure relief, and other preventative behaviours