Open AccessCLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF 3D-MODELING-BASED CUSTOMIZED OFF-LOADING PRESSURE-RELIEF CUSHIONS FOR SPINAL CORD INJURY
Author(s) -
Jeonghyun Kim,
MinYe Jung,
EunYoung Yoo,
Sang Hyun Cho,
Sung Hoon Kim,
Jong-Bae Kim
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of mechanics in medicine and biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.236
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1793-6810
pISSN - 0219-5194
DOI - 10.1142/s0219519421400571
Subject(s) - cushion , ischial tuberosity , spinal cord injury , coccyx , medicine , engineering , structural engineering , surgery , spinal cord , sacrum , psychiatry
This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a 3D-modeling-based customized off-loading cushion to prevent pressure ulcers in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) using wheelchairs. The study included five people with SCI who use the traditionally manufactured customized off-loading cushions. As part of the test, each subject sat on three types of pressure-relief cushions, and the pressure between the seating surface and cushion was measured for 60[Formula: see text]min. The average measured pressure values were compared, and the change in pressure with time was analyzed to verify the clinical effect. The results showed that the CAD/CAM-based customized off-loading cushion exhibited a better decrease in pressure and pressure distribution effect on the ischial tuberosity and coccyx than the adjustable air cushion but did not differ much from the traditionally manufactured customized off-loading cushion. The clinical and economic effectiveness of the customized off-loading cushion based on the computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology was analyzed and tested on people with SCI. An occupational therapist evaluating the client followed by designing the customized off-loading strategy has no difference in terms of clinical effect compared to the traditional manufacturing method. However, time, effort, and cost should be considered when choosing an intervention strategy.