The Effect of Surface Electric Stimulation of the Gluteal Muscles on the Interface Pressure in Seated People With Spinal Cord Injury

FSA profiles for 1 participant. The left panels show a 2-dimensional map of interface pressure (ie, a top view); the right panels show a 3-dimensional pressure profile. Images are oriented with the thighs pointing downward. (A) Pressure profile during a rest period of the simultaneous stimulation protocol. The blue and green square indicate the left and right tuber area. The red square denotes the sensors used in computing the pressure gradient. (B) Pressure profile during a stimulation period of the simultaneous stimulation protocol.

(A) Interface pressure profiles and (B) the corresponding fit for 1 participant. Images are oriented with the thighs pointing upward to the left.

Gauss curve with (A) a small and (B) a large SD. A narrow Gauss curve corresponds to a low value for the pressure spread (left). The tissue in this area might be at risk for developing pressure ulcers, because the greater part of the interface pressure is supported by a relatively small area and because a rapid decline in pressure over a small distance is associated with a large shear force within the buttocks.

Time series of the interface pressure during the (A) alternating and (B) simultaneous stimulation protocol for 1 participant.