INFO DOCUMENT
What does “dynamic seat shell” mean?
If
we observe a group of children sitting during a school class, in a
cinema, we realise that the term “sitting quietly” is more of a wish,
which in no way corresponds to reality. Everybody needs some movement
even when sitting, in order to improve their own posture, to relieve
parts of the body subjected to an excessive period of strain and to
keep body joints mobile.
AKTIVLINE is the intelligent solution for
all children and adults with a cerebral movement impediment, who cannot
control important movement mechanisms independently. Through the
dynamic linking of the various parts of the seat unit, it offers
corresponding movement of the seat shell. This mobility is adapted to
the individual requirements of the user by means of pull and push
suspension, with the result that a good sitting position in the
interests of therapeutic care in no way interferes with pleasant
sitting.
What advantages does AKTIVLINE offer the user?
Many people with problems in terms of targeted movement or whose
posture is influenced through mainly uncontrollable extension
movements, can only benefit from care with the AKTIVLINE seat shell. In
the past, attempts were made to control the involuntary movements,
which for various reasons had a negative effect on sitting, by means of
firm fixing. However, this type of solution only made the problem
worse. The muscle tension, in particular in the hips and trunk, even
increased. The consequences are common knowledge: the seat shell often
broke or became deformed, the child slid out of the seat shell, the use
of wedges or seat pants between the thighs caused increased pressure on
the muscles, pressure which is responsible for the luxation of the
hips. AKTIVLINE aims to remove these undesired consequences, and even
to offer the possibility of, in part, controlling the movements
described, or of using them for a sensible purpose. Thanks to the pull
and push suspension, the involuntary movements are permitted to a
limited extent. Once the muscles have returned to a relaxed condition,
the seat shell turns back to the initial position by itself.
Simultaneous physiological and dynamic sitting is achieved.
Additionally, the resistance to extension does not – as is the case
with conventional forms of care – take maximum effect immediately, but
rather not until the end of the movement.
This means that the
muscles do not develop maximum force when in a shortened condition
(risk of contraction). The result: the perception of one’s own body
posture is noticeably improved; the possibility exists of in part
internalising and controlling it.
Which children and adults will benefit most from this type of AKTIVLINE care?
Movement impediments as a result of spastic paralysis (infantile
cerebral paresis) can be observed in a wide variety of forms: on the
one hand, various parts of the body can be affected (hemiparesis,
diparesis, tetraparesis) and, on the other hand, movements themselves
can be deficient (akinetic and hypokinetic) or not targeted
(diskinetic). The perception component is always of major importance
for people in the organisation of their movements. Children with
tetraplegia are frequently incapable of controlling their posture and
quickly become “frightened” as a reaction to various forms of
irritation. An alternative form of care should be tried if
over-extension of head, trunk and hips is observed, if movement of the
hips is more or less bearable and if almost exclusive use is made of a
wheelchair.
Nevertheless, even children who are unable to sit for
more than a short time as a result of hip pain, will also feel
benefits. For diskinetic movement impediments, AKTIVLINE offers the
only alternative to conventional care. The main advantage lies in the
fact that movement components, which disturb target-oriented actions
(e.g. speaking, operating a computer), are absorbed by the movement of
the shell.
I am not happy with my rigid seat shell!
Naturally,
one should not change satisfactory care through a rigid seat shell
under all circumstances. It is known just how long the route to good
care can be in some cases. However, if you are not satisfied despite
long years of experimenting, because the seat shell frequently breaks,
a good sitting posture is not achieved, because pain shortens the
sitting period or because involuntary movements have a negative effect
on the operation of various devices, then a trial with AKTIVLINE is a
recommendable step. It will very soon become apparent whether the
advantages of the “dynamic care” are accepted by the user and his/her
environment.
Text: Pasquale Incoronato,
Physiotherapist and rehabilitation therapist, Berlin