The Effectiveness of Specialist Seating Provision for Nursing Home Residents

Physical Disability Clinical Trial

Official title: The Effectiveness of Specialist Seating Provision for Nursing Home Residents

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

A randomized control study aimed to investigate if suitable individualized seating provision is effective for adult nursing home residents in reducing the incidence of pressure ulcers, and increasing their quality of life and functioning.

Clinical Trial Description

The United Kingdom (UK) population demographics confirm that older people are considered to be the fastest-growing group in the population (Dunnell, 2008). In 2007, 9.8 million people were aged over 65; however, by 2032 this figure is projected to rise to 16.1 million (Dunnell, 2008). Many of these older adults will have complex health and social care needs sometimes requiring nursing home care. A high standard and quality of care within our nursing homes is essential, to be able to deal with this growing population safely and to the highest standard possible, including the provision of individualised seating assessment, prescription and provision. An individually prescribed seating system should be based upon the assessment of the person's abilities and needs, and should best position and support them for comfort and function.

When seating is not clinically suitable for the user there are many physiological and psychological implications for the user. For example, often pressure ulcers may develop. Pressure ulcers are currently a major concern for the NHS due to their prevalence, the cost of treatments and the impact on the person. Pressure ulcers can often be related to poor seating and indeed good seating can contribute to prevention and contribute to healing (Anton, 2005). Current expenditure by the NHS in the UK on pressure sores is £2.1bn annually. This equates to approximately £10,500 per sore (Bennett et al, 2004). Anecdotal evidence suggests that correct seating provision could be instrumental in depleting this cost by preventing pressure ulcers through investment in chairs before ulcers develop. This project set out to explore this topic via empirical research methods.

Research Question To identify the importance of individualised seating in reducing postural difficulties for adult residents in nursing homes.

Methods A pragmatic RCT design with qualitative and quantitative tools was used. These included: pulse oximeter readings of oxygen saturation levels and pulse rate; Braden scale of pressure risk; caregiver questionnaire; digital photographs of seated posture; and demographic information.

Participants Forty residents were recruited from three nursing homes in N.Ireland, and were randomly assigned to either the control group (continue to use existing chair) or the intervention group (use an individually configured seating system) for the 12- week trial period. At the end of the 12- week trial period there were 18 participants in each group. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Single Blind (Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Physical Disability

• NCT number: NCT02926313
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of Ulster
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: October 2012
• Completion date: August 2013