Abstract
[Purpose] This study determined the best adjustable cushion for the maintenance of normal sitting balance by stroke patients in wheelchairs from among air cushions, gel cushions, and spongy cushions. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty stroke participants and 20 age-matched control participants were recruited. The enrolled participants were evaluated using the Functional Ambulatory Category (FAC) and The Force Sensitive Application System was used to assess weight shift and symmetry in wheelchair sitting and with the various cushion types: air cushion, gel cushion, and spongy cushion. [Results] No significant differences in symmetry index (SI) were detected according to cushion type between the lesion sides. The SI of FAC 3-point patients was higher than those of FAC 4-point patients in post hoc tests. FAC 3-point patients had a significantly higher SI than 4-point patients in the wheelchair seat tests. FAC-3 point patients had a significantly higher SI than 4-and 5-point patients on the spongy seat on the wheelchair. The stroke group had a higher SI than the normal control group in simple wheelchair sitting. [Conclusion] The findings of the present study demonstrate that stroke patients can maintain a more symmetrical sitting posture on various cushions than is possible when simply sitting in a wheelchair seat.
