Page 16 - Mobility Management, February 2017

clinically speaking
Dynamic Seating: The Results Are In!
funding challenges, durability, loss of position, difficul- ties with providing the correct amount of resistance, and weight.
Survey participants are using dynamic seating primarily at the pelvis and knees and most often with clients who have increased tone. The goals of dynamic seating use are overwhelmingly to increase sitting tolerance/compliance and to protect the wheelchair from breakage. However, a large variety of applications was identified.
How do these results influence practice?
Feedback from the field can direct product develop- ment, improvement, and training in use. These new and improved products can better meet client need and may also broaden clinical applications.
5For which client populations do you most frequently apply dynamic movement?
Clients who need movement (e.g., clients who tend to rock)
21%
Clients with increased muscle tone (e.g., cerebral palsy, brain injury) 79%
Note: This question included a comment section. Nine participants commented. Five participants indicated both selections. Participants also indicated use with clients who have severe dystonia, low tone and traumatic brain injury.
8Do you believe that dynamic seating is underutilized in our field?
No 11%
Education is needed to increase awareness of dynamic seating and its potential applications, including clients who can benefit from this technology, areas of the body where dynamic components may be utilized, and the broad spectrum of goals that may be met through dynamic seating. l
Editor’s note: Michelle L. Lange is an occupational therapist with 30 years of experience and has been in private practice, Access to Independence, for 10 years. She is a well-respected lecturer, both nationally and internationally, and has authored six book chap-
ters and more than 200 articles. She is the editor of Fundamentals
in Assistive Technology, 4th ed., and clinical editor of Directions magazine for the National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS). Michelle is on the teaching faculty of RESNA and is a member of the Clinician Task Force. She is a certified ATP, certified SMS and is a Senior Disability Analyst of the ABDA.
7What are the greatest challenges you meet in applying dynamic seating? Choose all that apply.
58.70% 48.91% 47.83% 34.78% 21.74% 13.04%
Funding
Durability
Client returns to “starting position,” but is no longer in the desired posture.
Client does not return to “starting position,” i.e., dynamic component remains activated.
Client cannot activate/move the dynamic component
Dynamic movement appears to worsen frequency or force of extension
20 30 40 50 60
0
10
Note: This question included a comment section. Eight participants commented. Additional challenges included proper use, proper training, alignment of the dynamic com­ ponent with the joint, decreased ability to integrate multiple joints, caregiver understanding/compliance, and weight.
9Do you believe our field needs more dynamic seating product options?
No
20% 5% I believe there are
enough product options, but these options could work better
16 february 2017 | mobilitymanagement
mobilitymgmt.com
Yes 89%
Yes 75%