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OBJECTIVE:

To determine if the use of pressure-reducing wheelchair cushions for elderly nursing home resident wheelchair users who are at high risk for developing sitting-acquired pressure ulcers would result in a lower incidence rate of pressure ulcers, a greater number of days until ulceration, and lower peak interface pressures compared with the use of convoluted foam cushions over a 12-month period. To determine the feasibility of conducting a subsequent full-scale definitive trial to evaluate the use of pressure-reducing seat cushions for elderly nursing home resident wheelchair users.

DESIGN:

Randomized control trial

SETTING:

2 200-bed skilled nursing facilities (1 suburban and 1 urban academic medical center)

PATIENTS:

32 male and female at-risk nursing home residents who were wheelchair users≥ 65 years of age. Participants had Braden Scale scores≤ 18, Braden Activity and Mobility subscale …