Modular seating for XXXX : design and initial experience.

@entity1 @entity1635 @entity425 @entity158 @entity85 @entity121
The conventional wheelchair sling seat provides little or no support to the spine of a @entity1 with @entity121 or @entity425 . As the spinal muscles become @entity1635 may develop with @entity85 , @entity158 and restriction of cardio-respiratory function. If @entity425 is severe, the resultant fully developed @entity85 is virtually impossible to treat. Slowing the rate of @entity85 is, therefore, the most hopeful avenue of attack. This work addresses the hypothesis that custom moulded seating can increase sitting comfort and slow the rate of progression of spinal curvature in @entity1 with @entity1635 , and further, that a range of standard or modular seats can achieve these goals at less cost. Previous work on this problem has ranged from simply padding the armrest, in order to distribute force over the rib cage, through to custom moulded seating. Our initial experience with custom moulding, using the bean bag evacuation and consolidation technique, produced several comfortable seats although the technique was labour intensive and therefore costly. This led us to attempt to develop a method of providing comfortable seating that would help control @entity85 at reasonable cost. This paper describes the design of a standardized seating system for school age @entity1 with @entity121 or @entity425 . Preliminary results indicate that this technique may have advantages over alternative methods of treatment. The radiological study is continuing.
