View article

To investigate the relation between pressure ulcer incidence and buttock-wheelchair seat cushion interface pressure measurements.

Secondary analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial.

Skilled nursing facility.

Thirty-two elderly patients (age, ⩾ 65yr), with Braden score ⩽ 18 and Braden mobility and activity subscale scorche ⩽ 5, who used wheelchairs ⩾ 6hr/d, were free of existing sitting-induced pressure ulcers, and weighed ⩽ 2501b.

Generic foam seat cushion or pressure-reducing seat cushion.

The incidence of sitting-induced pressure ulcers over a 1- to 12-month period was compared with pressure measured between patients' buttocks and wheelchair seat cushions. A flexible pad with a 15 × 15 pressure sensor array was used to measure interface pressure.

Interface pressure measured on wheelchair …