SKIN BLOOD-FLOW IN SEATED GERIATRIC-PATIENTS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 62  (8) , 392-398
Abstract
A hard seat was equipped with devices sensing ateriolar pulsatile blood flow volume rate, externally developed pressure and shear, all taken in lateral proximity to the ischial tuberosities of sitting subjects. Tests were conducted on 14 geriatric hospitalized patients and 9 healthy young men. No young, healthy man demonstrated blood flow occlusion at pressure valves < 120 mm Hg. Of the geriatric hospitalized subjects, 2 occluded at < 20 mm Hg. Average shear values developed by the geriatric hospitalized group were 3 .times. that of the young, healthy group. Average pressure values demonstrated by the geriatric hospitalized subjects were roughly equal to those of the younger subjects (.apprx. 70 mm Hg). Tipping the seat backwards through 20.degree. produced major benefits to the hospitalized geriatric group in terms of increased blood flow, lessened pressure and lower shear. The young, healthy group experienced some increase in blood flow with no significant change in sitting reactions when tested in a tipped attitude.

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