Comfort and stability of wheelchair backrests according to the TAWC (tool for assessing wheelchair discomfort).

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was thus to determine if people with different types of wheelchair backrests on their personal wheelchairs reported different levels of comfort as measured by the Tool for Assessing Wheelchair disComfort (TAWC).

METHODS: Participants were between 18 and 80 years of age and were manual wheelchair users. The TAWC was used to assess the participants' wheelchair seating discomfort levels with the wheelchair and seating systems.

RESULTS: We surveyed 131 wheelchair users to assess the comfort of their backrests on their personal wheelchairs and found a trend suggesting that rigid backrests are were less comfortable as compared with sling backrests. This finding was statistically significant in a subgroup of participants with tetraplegia.

CONCLUSIONS: Although many clinicians expect rigid backrests to be more comfortable because they may provide more support, the higher discomfort ratings among rigid backrest users with tetraplegia may be due to sub-optimal shape, fit, adjustment or user preferences. Implications for Rehabilitation Development of a measure for long-term seating discomfort is needed. Design and development of better rigid backrests that are functional but provide adequate comfort are in need.