Effects of seating on the scoliotic deformity and posture in non-ambulant individuals

Supervisors: Prof R Hall, Prof M Levesley, Prof B Bhakta
Researcher: Mr C Jones
Lead Institution: University of Leeds
Duration: 3 years

This is a clinical study to determine the effect of seat configuration on non-ambulant young people with scoliosis. The study is to be undertaken on a sample of young people with scoliosis who are wheelchair seating users. The hypothesis underlying the study is that the optimum wheelchair seating configuration for non-ambulant young people with scoliosis can be identified. The study has a prospective crossover design, where each participant is measured in 3 seat configurations. Outcome measures are: spinal shape, pelvic obliquity, loading at the interface between the patient and the seat, and user satisfaction. The results from this study should help us to develop a more scientific basis for the selection and configuration of wheelchair seating for non-ambulant young people with scoliosis.

British Scoliosis Research Foundation (BSRF). Registered Charity Number: 803772. ©2010 BSRF.

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