Integrated Fan Cooling of the Lower Back for Wheelchair Users

Overview

Journal J Rehabil Assist Technol Eng

Specialty Biomedical Engineering

Date 2022 Sep 19

PMID 36118615

Authors

Katy E Griggs

Frederique J Vanheusden

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: A large proportion of a wheelchair user's body is in contact with their wheelchair. Integrated fan cooling systems fitted to a wheelchair's backrest aim to alleviate the build-up of heat at the skin-chair interface. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated fan cooling system at cooling the user during daily pushing activity.

Methods: Eight male able-bodied participants completed two conditions, with (FAN) and without (CON) fan cooling, pushing for four 15 min blocks. The fan was turned on (highest setting) at the end of block 1 (FAN), whilst in CON the fan remained off. Skin temperature was measured over the back and chest throughout alongside heart rate and perceptual responses (rating of perceived exertion, thermal sensation, thermal comfort, wetness sensation) at the end of each 15 min block.

Results: Wetness sensation and lower back skin temperature were lower in FAN (both < 0.02), with the difference in lower back skin temperature between the two conditions being 2.20°C at the end of block 4.

Conclusion: The integrated fan cooling system provided significant cooling to the lower back without affecting any other physiological or perceptual response, besides wetness sensation.

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