{"id":393696,"date":"2020-12-04T15:54:52","date_gmt":"2020-12-04T20:54:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/?p=393696"},"modified":"2020-12-04T15:54:52","modified_gmt":"2020-12-04T20:54:52","slug":"craig-hospital-study-on-wheelchair-back-support-published-in-journal-of-spinal-cord-medicine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/craig-hospital-study-on-wheelchair-back-support-published-in-journal-of-spinal-cord-medicine\/","title":{"rendered":"Craig Hospital Study on Wheelchair Back Support Published in Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Englewood, Colo. , Dec. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A study on wheelchair back support, conducted by a team at Craig Hospital<\/u><\/a>, a world-renowned neurorehabilitation hospital for people who have sustained spinal cord<\/u><\/a> and\/or brain injuries<\/u><\/a> in collaboration with a team from the Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, was published in The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine<\/u><\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n

For people living with spinal cord injury, a wheelchair is an essential part of their independence. Complex rehab technology (CRT) refers to adaptive equipment for people with disabilities that is medically necessary and individually configured. This includes manual and power wheelchair systems, adaptive seating systems, alternative positioning systems, and other mobility devices that require evaluation, fitting, configuration, adjustment, or programming. CRT is important because with an appropriate wheelchair and seating components, there can be immense improvement in one\u2019s ability to be healthy, independent, and live a happy and fruitful life. <\/p>\n

Having researched how wheelchair components support the best functionality and mobility outcomes for patients with limitations, a team from Craig Hospital \u2013 along with professionals from the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, both Model Systems<\/u><\/a> centers for spinal cord injury \u00a0\u2013 developed a study to evaluate 50 adults between the ages of 18 and 60 living with complete spinal cord injury and who use a manual wheelchair for mobility. <\/p>\n

Participants were provided two types of wheelchair backs \u2013 one upholstered wheelchair back cushion and one of solid material \u2013 and then evaluated for postural and functional outcomes, pain, and satisfaction with each. While most participants predicted that the soft back would provide better comfort and functionality, the study found that the more\u00a0rigid backrests had the greatest benefits,\u00a0including increasing vertical reach, aiding a stronger push, improving posture and providing more comfort.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Craig, our daily approach to patient care, including involvement in research, is focused on improving quality of life for patients and helping them get back to being as independent as possible after their injury,\u201d said Maggie Dahlin, Craig Hospital physical therapist. \u201cTo prove that minor things make a big difference in a person\u2019s daily life \u2013 like the material of the wheelchair back \u2013\u00a0is really fulfilling.\u00a0We take these findings directly to our patients and get to see the benefits in real life.\u201d<\/p>\n

The study found five key positive outcomes from using a solid backrest:<\/p>\n