Evaluation of the new flexible contour backrest for wheelchairs

A new flexible contour backrest for wheelchairs was designed with the objec tives of offering adequate posture, uniform pressure distribution, and comf ort to the users while keeping the advantages of conventional sling backres ts, such as easy to fold, light weight, unobtrusive, and airy. The purpose of this study is to compare the new backrest with two commercially availabl e wheelchair backrests, an adjustable-tension (AT) backrest and a back cush ion on a rigid support (RS), in terms of pressure distribution back profile accommodation, and short-term comfort. Evaluations were done with 15 nonim paired subjects in a static position. It was shown that the new backrest di stributes pressure in a more uniform way than the AT and in a way similar t o the RS, while giving a better fit to subjects' trunks than other backrest s because of its multiple adjustments. Finally, subjects felt that the new backrest is as comfortable as the RS and more comfortable than the AT.