Learnings from the 2024 annual meeting of the German Medical Society for Paraplegia (DMGP)
At the DMGP 2024 Annual Meeting, our CEO Uwe Schonhardt and his colleagues from REHAB Basel had the opportunity to present two exciting contributions that shed light on both clinical innovation and the lived experience of paraplegia. Uwe continues working as an occupational therapist besides leading the development of our pressure ulcer solutions, because the closeness to patients and fellow clinicians is what drives gim. The annual meeting is already a while ago, but the insights gained remain relevant to anyone who is interested in pressure ulcer management, and patient-centered care.
The abstract band of the DMGP can be downloaded here, but we are happy to provide you with a summary of the key findings.
Mobilization with an Adaptive Pressure-Relief Cushion
One of the abstracts, “Frühmobilisation bei drittgradigem Hautdefekt der Sitzbeinregion…”, presents a case where a 56-year-old paraplegic patient with a severe ischial pressure ulcer was mobilized using an automated, adaptive pressure-monitoring and relief device, an early version of the LiVE One cushion.
Traditionally, guidelines call for complete offloading in pressure-affected areas, often leading to weeks of bed rest and slow recovery. In this case, the team leveraged a LiVE One prototype cushion to allow safe mobilization under partial offloading.
Key insights include:
- The patient could sit for up to three sessions of four hours between offloading periods without compromising wound healing in comparison to prescribed complete unloading without cushion.
- Local reduced pressure through the device’s airchambers settings allowed individualized care and monitoring, even in the outpatient setting.
- Mobilization can prevent deconditioning and accelerate the return to everyday life, provided that the necessary conditions, such as consistent skin checks and safe transfers, are ensured.
This case highlights how technology-enabled rehabilitation can challenge traditional protocols, offering both safety and independence for patients.
Living with Pressure Injuries: A Patient Perspective
The second abstract, “Hirn oder Hintern?”, provided a deeply personal view of life with pressure injuries from the perspective of a long-term paraplegic patient and peer advisor.
Through her storytelling, the author described the impact of chronic pressure injuries on daily life, from months of bed rest to the challenges of cooking, socializing, and maintaining independence. Life with paraplegia is already demanding, and pressure injuries add another layer of complexity.
“With two jobs, a volunteer position, a house with a garden (including a cat and my 82-year-old mother) a passion for swimming and hand cycling, and a large circle of friends whom I enjoy meeting and cooking for, I have a very full life. That’s something special […] when living with paraplegia.
[Decubitus] means lying down for months on end, being dependent, not being able to go shopping for food – let alone prepare it – and only being able to see friends in your bedroom. No coffee dates, no movies, no theater, no trips to the countryside, no sports, nothing… and then sitting around… the clock constantly limiting me, a balancing act between desire and reality.”
Take away messages:
- Innovative seating cushions such as the LiVE One could allow patients to reclaim their daily routines without constantly worrying about pressure injuries.
- Beyond medical treatment, patient experience drives innovation. Understanding real-life challenges is crucial to designing tools that truly improve quality of life.
This contribution reminds us that successful rehabilitation is not only about clinical outcomes but also about enabling people to live fully and independently.
Why It Matters
At RELiYOO we believe that technology can provide solutions to support wound management and after case for those affected, and that patient insights can guide practical innovations that improves everyday life.
It is only in close exchange with medical professionals, researchers and patients are we able to create relevant technologies. We continue to develop our products in collaboration with medical institutions, universities and our users, and of course we are looking forward to an exchange about research findings at future conferences.
So let’s meet at the DMGP Annual Meeting next year!