Education in Motion Resources

This guide is intended to assist healthcare providers by providing an overview of R-Net selection.

When recommending a seating system, one should consider the shape of the seating system and how the shape of the cushion or back will impact the individual's positioning. The spine and pelvis can be supported by more than five different shapes and, if not fitted correctly, will create postural instability. The pelvis and lower extremities can be supported by more than four different shapes that will affect stability. It is important to consider these shapes when accommodating or correcting orthopedic asymmetries. The seating shape may also determine the method of pressure distribution. Lastly, the shape may affect the overall comfort of the individual sitting in the seating system.

Clinical Assessment Goals:

• Identify posture/orthopedic asymmetries at each body segment.
• Is asymmetry reducible or non-reducible?
• Measure angles in frontal, sagittal, and transverse plane.
• Absolute angles measure angles between a line connecting 2 points of reference on the body and a neutral/plumb line.
• Angles which have moved clockwise from neutral axis are (-).
• Angles which have moved counter-clockwise from neutral axis are (+).

It is important for the clinician to properly assess and document angular body measures and angular support surface measures when evaluating a client for seating and wheeled mobility equipment. As referenced in Clinical Application Guide to Standardized Wheelchair Seating Measures of the Body and Seating Support Surfaces, Revised Edition (Waugh & Crane, 2013), angular measurements can be measured in relative and absolute angles. It is important to utilize the angular body measures when recommending support surface measures.

Taking proper and accurate measurements of the client is an essential part of the seating and wheeled mobility equipment provision process. According to research, there are 36 linear body measures. However, which of the linear body measurements that need to be taken on a specific client may vary and depends on the complexity of the needs of the individual.

Manual wheelchairs with tilt provide a means for weight shifts and position changes, reduce the risk of pressure injury by redistributing pressure from the pelvis to the trunk, and provide a safe and easy way for assistants to provide weight shifts for occupants.