Supportive Wheelchair Back Compared to Fabric Back

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study tests using a wheelchair back that supports the spine in a neutral position and one that allows the spine and pelvis to fall into a posterior pelvic tilt.

Detailed Description
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Individuals will randomly start with the supportive back vs the unsupportive back. Measurements of the spine and pelvis will be taken. Forward upward reach, one stroke push, times forward push and ramp skills will be assessed.

Official Title
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Clinical Evidence for Supported Spinal Curves in Wheelchair Seating: A Randomized Comparison

Conditions
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Spinal Cord Injuries

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Matrix back


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: complete spinal cord injury with levels Full time wheelchair users English speaking in order to understand the consent Exclusion Criteria: Over 250 pounds in body weight Inability to grip a wheelchair push rim Individual with pressure ulcer Individual with shoulder pain

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: comparing two different back support to access if there are postural and functional differences.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Supportive Back Comparison<br>Motion Concepts matrx back to be attached to individual's wheelchair in place of the individual's back. It will be adjusted for size and to support the spinal curves as compared to a fabric back | Device: Matrix back<br>* The Matrix back will replace the individual's back and the measures will be taken.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Seated Body Measurements performed. | Angle measurements will be taken when sitting. These include the pelvic angle (femur to pelvis) and Spinal Angle of Kyphosis (femur to acromion). | 2 hour session (one visit) | 
| Vertical Forward Reach Test (VFRT): | Assesses stability by measuring the maximum distance an individual can reach forward vertically (upward) while sitting in a fixed position. | 2 hour session (one visit) | 
| Breathing status: | An instrument called a spirometer is placed into the mouth with the nose clipped and the individual is instructed to take a deep breath and blow out. Peak effort flow, peak cough flow, and functional capacity will be recorded. | 2 hour session (one visit) | 
| One stroke push: | This measures how far the wheelchair moves forward with one stroke over carpet. | 2 hour session (one visit) | 
| Timed forward Wheeling/Wheelchair Propulsion Test (WPT): | The WPT is a brief test measuring the number of wheelchair pushes and time needed to cross a distance of 23 meters | 2 hour session (one visit) | 
| Ramp Ascent (forward wheeling | This is a timed test on a 10.3 meter ramp with a 1:13 grade slope | 2 hour session (one visit) | 
| Pain Scale: | The participant will rate any pain felt while sitting in the test wheelchairs after all activities using a numerical scale of 0-10, with 0 being no pain. | 2 hour session (one visit) | 
| Survey | The study team developed a survey for patients to fill out asking questions such as comfort of back support and opinions of practicality of back support. | 2 hour session (one visit) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Breathing status: | Pulse oximetry will be taken with the person sitting in each testing wheelchair. | 2 hour session (one visit) |