Daily Activity Monitoring for Prevention of Pressure Ulcers in Long-Term Wheelchair Users

This paper presents an assistive device for assessment and prevention of pressure ulcers in long-term wheelchair patients. The system consists of several sensors deployed on the wheelchair non-invasively for monitoring pressure changes and tilt usage during daily activities. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the potential capabilities of the system and the feasibility of implementing alarms based on clinical recommendations. During two weeks, six full-time wheelchair users with severe disability were monitored. Their wheelchairs were electric-powered and equipped with tilt-in-space systems and pressure relief cushions as methods for relieving pressure. Results show that the system is able to capture tilt usage and pressure changes during daily life. Also, it provides relevant information regarding to wheelchair occupancy and activity level. The study shows that most of the subjects spent long hours on the wheelchair without performing pressure relief as often as recommended, confirming the usefulness of a personalized alarm system.