1232 - Evaluation of the Active Permeable Pressure Relieving Dynamic Seating System at the 2024 National Veterans Wheelchair Games

About 50% of wheelchair users experience pressure injuries (PIs), with approximately 2.5 million PIs treated annually. Clinical data suggest that over 25 percent of patients receiving flap surgeries have recurring PIs once they transition from bedrest back to their wheelchairs. Air fluidized therapy is the gold standard for treating PIs but is available only as a bed.  An air-fluidized wheelchair seating system prototype, the Active Permeable Pressure Relieving Dynamic Seating System (APPRDSS) was developed. The purpose of this study was to obtain feedback from Veterans with disabilities regarding the design and feasibility of use.


Design:

Twenty-six Veterans and one spouse of a Veteran participated in focus groups. All participants used a manual or power wheelchair as a primary means of mobility. ATLAS.ti qualitative data analysis software was used to generate new design criteria for the next prototype from focus group feedback.


Results:

In general, participants felt the prototype was novel and had potential for treating and preventing PIs. Several design criteria emerged for the next prototype, including alternative power sources, noise mitigation, and reconfiguration of components like tubing to improve accessibility in tight spaces and facilitate transfers into and out of the device. Participants also recommended components that are easy for users to replace, maintain and clean. In addition, future design criteria should include a foam base that protects the skin if the APPRDSS should deflate but which would not mitigate the pressure relief properties of the air fluidized system.


Conclusions:

Participants were enthusiastic about the prototype. Design criteria will be used to fabricate and test the next prototype in the next phase of this participant-centered design process.