Supportive Wheelchair Back Compared to Fabric Back

Clinical Evidence for Supported Spinal Curves in Wheelchair Seating: A Randomized Comparison

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT03962582

Enrollment

Registered

2019-05-24

Start date

2017-12-01

Completion date

2019-03-30

Last updated

2019-05-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries

Brief summary

This study tests using a wheelchair back that supports the spine in a neutral position and one that allows the spine and pelvis to fall into a posterior pelvic tilt.

Detailed description

Individuals will randomly start with the supportive back vs the unsupportive back. Measurements of the spine and pelvis will be taken. Forward upward reach, one stroke push, times forward push and ramp skills will be assessed.

Interventions

DEVICEMatrix back

The Matrix back will replace the individual's back and the measures will be taken.

Study design

Allocation

Intervention model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Intervention model description

comparing two different back support to access if there are postural and functional differences.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 70 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* complete spinal cord injury with levels * Full time wheelchair users * English speaking in order to understand the consent

Exclusion criteria

* Over 250 pounds in body weight * Inability to grip a wheelchair push rim * Individual with pressure ulcer * Individual with shoulder pain

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Survey	2 hour session (one visit)	The study team developed a survey for patients to fill out asking questions such as comfort of back support and opinions of practicality of back support.
Seated Body Measurements performed.	2 hour session (one visit)	Angle measurements will be taken when sitting. These include the pelvic angle (femur to pelvis) and Spinal Angle of Kyphosis (femur to acromion).
Vertical Forward Reach Test (VFRT):	2 hour session (one visit)	Assesses stability by measuring the maximum distance an individual can reach forward vertically (upward) while sitting in a fixed position.
Breathing status:	2 hour session (one visit)	An instrument called a spirometer is placed into the mouth with the nose clipped and the individual is instructed to take a deep breath and blow out. Peak effort flow, peak cough flow, and functional capacity will be recorded.
One stroke push:	2 hour session (one visit)	This measures how far the wheelchair moves forward with one stroke over carpet.
Timed forward Wheeling/Wheelchair Propulsion Test (WPT):	2 hour session (one visit)	The WPT is a brief test measuring the number of wheelchair pushes and time needed to cross a distance of 23 meters
Ramp Ascent (forward wheeling	2 hour session (one visit)	This is a timed test on a 10.3 meter ramp with a 1:13 grade slope
Pain Scale:	2 hour session (one visit)	The participant will rate any pain felt while sitting in the test wheelchairs after all activities using a numerical scale of 0-10, with 0 being no pain.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Breathing status:	2 hour session (one visit)	Pulse oximetry will be taken with the person sitting in each testing wheelchair.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026