Pressure relief backrests

1. What is a recliner backrest?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a recliner?
3. What is a tilt-in-space system? How much must it be able to tilt?
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of tilt-in-space?

Answers:
1. A semirecliner can be adjusted to recline 30 degrees while a full recliner reclines to 90 degrees (and is 6 inches longer than the standard chair).
2. Advantages of the recliner is that it provides independent pressure relief, assists in orthostasis episodes, allows for PROM of hip and knees, mobilizes secretions, and aids catheterization. Disadvantages include resulting shear forces, increased spasticity, and increased turning radius.
3. The entire seat and back tilt as a single unit. It must be able to tilt at least 35-40 degrees to redistribute pressure.
4. Advantages are independent pressure relief, assistance in orthostasis, alleviates shear, no spasticity during position changes, maintains seating position during weight shifts, mobilizes secretions, tighter turning radius. Disadvantages include lack of ROM benefits, inferior pressure relief, difficulty maintaining items on lack, retrograde flow from leg bag, higher height, catheterization more difficult.