Influence of different types of seat cushions on the static sitting posture in individuals with spinal cord injury.

STUDY

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of the Postural Assessment Software PAS/SAPO in the posture analysis of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) during sitting position and to analyze if the use of different types of seat cushions-gel and foam, with no cushion-can interfere in the individual's posture during sitting position.

SETTING

Centre of Rehabilitation at the University Hospital (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.

METHODS

Eight individuals, four paraplegics and four tetraplegics with SCI and 20 healthy individuals participated in the study. Photos were taken of individuals in the sitting position using foam, gel cushions and with no cushion. They were analyzed using the PAS/SAPO. The alignment of the anterior-superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the posterior pelvic tilt were evaluated from the angle formed between the ASIS and the greater trochanter of the femur.

RESULTS

The group of healthy individuals presented the best postural alignment when compared with the group with SCI, both for the ASIS alignment (P<0.05) and for the degree of posterior pelvic tilt (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in the variables analyzed when the seat cushions were compared.

CONCLUSION

The different types of cushions did not alter the sitting posture; however, individuals with SCI showed worse postural alignment than the healthy individuals. PAS/SAPO was demonstrated to be useful for postural assessment.