Vicair Adjuster O2 – 6cm

“My wheelchair is not a limitation, it enriches my life!”

I’m the proud owner of a Vicair Adjuster O2 and it really makes a huge difference. When I exercise in my wheelchair I feel that my energy no longer stops by the seat. Instead of that, I can fully use all my energy and improve my times. The cushion adjusts to the shape of your body and that really makes a difference. No longer a numb bum, no more tingling feet or pain. It truly enriches my life and
I plan to achieve much more with it.

Clinical Case: Pain relief through pressure redistribution on a Vicair Adjuster O2

Mr. R. He was diagnosed with small fibre neuropathy in 2014 which displays itself in nerve pain from the fingertips to the big toes. It also affects the autonomic nervous system, which causes gut, bladder, stomach problems and reduces muscle tone. Mr. R. suffers from chronic pain and fatigue in addition to spasms that show in his fingers and legs.
After three weeks of Mr. R. testing his new Vicair Adjuster O2 (6cm) cushion in his manual wheelchair, Mr. R. experienced a significant improvement. He no longer had the sensation of sensitively painful sitting bones. Overall the pain that he experiences has been reduced, hence the Adjuster O2 was a welcome change.

Clinical Case: Pressure redistribution and stability through immersion on an Adjuster 12

Mr. S’s current foam wheelchair cushion did not afford Mr. S. sufficient pressure redistribution as he indicated a sitting tolerance of approximately an hour. After which he would experience pain under both ischial tuberosities (Its) and in his sacral region.
After pressure mapping various cushions the Vicair Adjuster 12 came out on top.
The Adjuster 12 provides Mr. S. with high-pressure distribution properties that are needed to enable him to sit safely and comfortably all day. The pre-ischial bar prevents him from sliding forward, whilst deep immersion provides stability. He can now use his wheelchair without the risk of pressure and shear related injuries. Furthermore the cushion is low maintenance and easy to understand. The new configuration allows him to safely and independently access his home and community.

Clinical Case: Preventing sliding and creating stability with a Vicair Adjuster O2

In her initial set-up Mrs. C developed a category II pressure sore in the area of her IT’s. This was eventually remedied when she received a ROHO contour select cushion. Despite having contributed a great deal to the healing of the pressure sore, Mrs C. is not happy with her ROHO cushion. Her biggest objection is that she feels like she is constantly sliding out of her chair, she doesn’t feel comfortable going outside independently. Every ledge she has to go up or down she feels her position shift, unable to reposition herself this creates uncertainty and fear.
In order to assess her situation two measurements were conducted: an iShear measurement and a pressure mapping. The Adjuster O2 came out on top. After a trial of several weeks, the results are very positive: Mrs C. is delighted with her Adjuster O2. She no longer experiences the sensation of sliding forward and indicates a great amount of stability. Summing up her story she tells us that she has regained her confidence to move around outside. The increased stability has returned her self-confidence to move onto, off and over ledges without ever fearing the consequences.

Clinical Case: Reducing pressure ulcer incidents and saving money in staff maintenance time, by using Vicair cushions

In our facility 9% of the residents experienced pressure injury incidences. Additionally, staff spends time maintaining and checking products daily. Resulting in a significant amount of time being spent on maintenance on a weekly basis, taking time away that could be spent on patient care.
We introduced the Vicair products to a group of residents as the standard offering in an attempt to save money in staff maintenance time, reduce pressure ulcer incidence, and ultimately build our facilities reputation as a quality facility when it comes to patient care.
The percentage of residents with pressure injury incidences decreased from the initial 9% to 1%. In every case, the patient loved the comfort of the cushion and the therapist love the ability to individually customize the cushions to the patient.
The switch to Vicair cushions helped our bottom line.

Measuring Pressure interface and shear on cushions fitted correctly versus upside down

At a recent seating seminar therapist were asked if they had experienced a client sitting on their wheelchair cushion placed upside down? The answer was yes! 80% Had experienced this more than once. Asked if in their opinion would this place their client at further risk? The Majority answered “Yes”! If the cushion is placed incorrectly in the chair. How can we minimise risk for pressure & shear?
The following 3 cushion types had their data measured: Vicair Aircell cushions, Flotation cushion and a Gel cushion.
The tools used where a pressure-map and an iShear. iShear is the world’s first tool to measure total shear force in the seat of a wheelchair.

Postural stability is an important factor for independence and social functioning, which leads to increase of quality of life experienced by wheelchair users. Furthermore, the role of trunk control on shoulder injuries may be an important consideration in mitigating injury and improvement of wheelchair propulsion.
Therefore, selection of an adequate wheelchair cushion is of utmost importance to ensure a satisfactory quality of life for wheelchair users. An increase of postural stability in a sitting position can be obtained by using a compartmented air cell cushion.

There needs to be a balance between stability and pressure redistribution. By applying a compartmented air cell cushion, both stability and pressure redistribution can be optimized so pelvic obliquity can be prevented, corrected or accommodated.

Can you imagine that the cushion in your wheelchair can make the difference between being able to reach that cupboard or not?
The Vicair wheelchair cushions give the largest increase in reach in this test. More than twice as much as what is considered a meaningful change in the horizontal direction on the Vicair Vector O2.

When investigating pelvic obliquity it’s important to take into account the following two effects, both of which can be positive depending on the user:

1-into a different position.
2-Correction: the cushion supports the pelvis to achieve a more horizontal pelvic, resulting in a more neutral posture.

Selection of an adequate wheelchair cushion is of utmost importance to ensure a satisfactory quality of life of wheelchair users. Increase in postural stability in a sitting position can be obtained by using a compartmented air cell cushion.

Vicair cushions offer very good resistance against sliding and pelvic tilt. Out of the box, the Vicair cushions are already a better choice compared to the tested Jay J3 cushion (30 – 63% better). The Vicair Adjuster O2 is, out of the box, better than the set ROHO Quadtro Select (12% better). When the Vicair Vector O2 is ideally adjusted for the indenter, the positive difference becomes more apparent (16% better, 24N difference).

Postural stability and the effects of wheelchair cushions

Summary: Benefits of postural stability when choosing a wheelchair cushions

Postural stability refers to the continuous process of postural changes during sitting. The capacity to maintain postural stability in sitting position is a prerequisite to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) and reduce risk of shoulder injury, but also social functioning, satisfaction with the equipment, and thus quality of life.

Moisture at the skin cushion interface in wheelchair users

Summary: Focus should be on protecting the user not the cushion with an incontinence cover

The skin performs a variety of important physiologic roles including protection from environmental exposure, preservation of internal homeostasis and thermoregulation amongst others. [Gray, 2011]
Moisture associated skin damage (MASD) pathophysiology is related to both recurrent chemical and physical irritation to the skin barrier, triggering inflammation and subsequent skin damage.

Additional research on moisture at the skin cushion interface in wheelchair users

Summary: Prolonged exposure to moisture makes the skin MASD (Moisture Associated Skin Damage) and pressure injury

How effective is washing your Vicair wheelchair cushion?

The importance of cleaning your wheelchair cushion

Is there a risk of bottoming out when using a Vicair cushion incorrectly?

does washing a vicair cushion affect pressure redistribution?