Quantifying seated buttock tissue response to commercial wheelchair cushions through MRI and pressure mapping analyses

The wheelchair cushions investigated showed comparable tissue deformation and PPI, though individuals with greater tissue thickness experienced less deformation. While participants experienced similar maximal tissue deformation across cushions, pressure gradients provided a more reliable representation of internal tissue response than PPI. Different cushion designs influenced load distribution uniquely despite similar overall tissue response, with notable differences between off-loading and pressure redistribution approaches. Regular skin checks remain essential for all wheelchair users.