Evidence for your Practice: Individually configured wheelchairs improve safe and effective use for long-term care residents

Article: Brienza, D. M., Karg, P. E., Bertolet, M., Schmeler, M., Poojary‐Mazzotta, P., Vlachos, H., & Wilkinson, D. (2018). A Randomized Clinical Trial of Wheeled Mobility for Pressure Injury Prevention and Better Function. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 66(9), 1752-1759.

Study Aim: A randomized controlled trail to evaluate the effectiveness of wheelchair assessment and configuration on pressure injury incidence, mobility, and functioning in a wheelchair.

Population: Nursing home residents aged 60 and older who used wheelchairs and were at risk for pressure injuries. 

Key Findings: 

• Participants with individually configured wheelchairs improved more in the safe and effective use of their wheelchairs than residents with facility‐provided wheelchairs.
• No differences in pressure injury incidence were found. 

Bottom Line for OT: Occupational therapists have the skills and training to individually configure wheelchairs using a comprehensive wheelchair and seating assessment process. This can support nursing home residents to function more safely and effectively in their seating systems. 

Read the article abstract

#OT365