PURPOSE
This study summarizes 20 patient evaluations in Chile of the JARIK Contoured Foam Cushion against the standard flat foam cushion provided by Free Wheelchair Mission with their prototype Gen 2 Wheelchair.
METHODS
From May to August, 2010, twenty Gen 2 Wheelchairs were donated to users in Chile under the supervision of Free Wheelchair Mission. The Gen 2 Wheelchair utilizes a wooden solid seat and comes standard with a soft, 2” flat foam cushion. Recipients were asked to use the wheelchair for 30 days, then to evaluate the flat foam cushion on 11 criteria. Users were then asked to use the same wheelchair for 30 days, this time with the JARIK Contoured Foam Cushion, then to evaluate the JARIK Cushion on the same criteria. Study results were monitored and tabulated by Free Wheelchair Mission.
CHART OF RESULTS:
“Have patient rate each cushion on a 1 to 10 scale, where
0=”Least”, 5=”Average”, 10=”Highest”, and N.A.= Not Applicable/don’t know.
| PARAMETER |
AVERAGE
Flat Foam
Cushion
Rating |
AVERAGE
JARIK
Cushion
Rating |
% IMPROV-
MENT |
| ABILITY TO: |
| PROTECT AGAINST SKIN BREAKDOWN |
5 |
10 |
100% |
| PROVIDE SITTING STABILITY |
5.25 |
10 |
90% |
| HOLD HIPS TO BACK OF CHAIR |
5.5 |
10 |
82% |
| HELP LEVEL THE HIPS |
6.5 |
10 |
54% |
| HELP PROPEL AND FUNCTION IN CHAIR |
8.13 |
10 |
23% |
| PREVENT HEAT BUILD-UP |
5 |
10 |
100% |
| PREVENT PERSPIRATION |
5 |
10 |
100% |
| |
| EASE OF TRANSFERS |
8.06 |
10 |
24% |
| EASE OF USE/MAINTENANCE |
8.33 |
9.75 |
17% |
| OVERALL SITTING COMFORT |
5 |
10 |
100% |
| OVERALL SATISFACTION |
5 |
10 |
100% |
CONCLUSIONS
Patients showed a strong preference for the JARIK Contoured Foam Cushion over a soft 2” foam cushion on all 11 criteria measured. “Overall Satisfaction” showed a 100% improvement on the JARIK Cushion. |
EVALUATIONS OF JARIK CONTOURED FOAM CUSHION VS FLAT FOAM CUSHION