The effect of a wheelchair with pelvic support belt on respiratory function

Abstract

Decreased respiratory function is associated with a slouched posture in a wheelchair for elderly persons with severe kyphosis. We compared the use of a wheelchair with a pelvic support belt and standard wheelchair use in persons with severe kyphosis. The subjects were 22 healthy individuals. We assessed head, neck, and trunk posture; forced vital capacity (FVC), percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ), tidal volume (VT), respiratory frequency, VO 2 , and VCO 2. We found that the use of a wheelchair equipped with a pelvic support belt improved head and neck alignment and reduced forward motion in the trunk. No significant differences between the two types of wheelchairs were found in terms of VO 2 and VCO 2 . However, use of a wheelchair with a pelvic support belt was associated with increases in FVC and FEV 1 . Additionally, use of a wheelchair with a pelvic support belt was associated with greater VT and was larger than that of WC. And the respiratory frequency in those using a wheelchair with a pelvic support belt was smaller than that of WC. The postural changes that resulted from the use of a wheelchair with a pelvic support belt were found to improve respiratory functioning by increasing the tidal volume through enlargement of the thorax and decreases in respiratory frequency.