CLINICAL TRIAL REPORT FOR PRODUCTS

Product name:
Spinergo medical chairs

Manufacturer’s name:
Spinergo a.s.

Manufacturer’s address:
Plzenská 2, 080 01 Prešov, Slovakia

Manufacturer’s product description:
Chairs using dynamic sitting to prevent spinal disorders

Clinical trial site:
Clinic of Medical Rehabilitation
Nemocnica Košice-Šaca a.s. 1st private hospital
Železiarenská 14, 040 15 Košice-Šaca

The examination was conducted by:
MUDr. Želinský Ľudovít, PhD.
Head of the clinic

Qualifications and experience:
40 years of experience in physiotherapy, balneology and medical rehabilitation

Principle of the device

Spinergo medical chairs have an original seat design on a ball pivot, which allows a so-called “dynamic” sitting. The unstable seat requires from the sitter a permanent activity of the muscular stabilisers of the trunk and pelvis, which is declared by the manufacturer as a preventive and therapeutic moment.

Assessment of external appearance

The chairs have a modern design made up of a combination of metal parts made of high quality steel and plastic. Certified, colour-optional upholstery or netting is used for upholstery. Mobility in the space is ensured by non-locking castors on the five arms. The Music model is without castors and wooden backrest, the Beauty model has only a seat support and Medical low backrest. Classic, Office and Business models have single, Manager models have three-piece stretch mesh shin and headrests and armrests.

Safety and individual ergonomics assessment

Spinergo medical chairs with a load capacity of up to 140 kg have been tested in a certified workplace, which confirmed compliance with EN1335-2 and EN1335-3, which are safety standards for office furniture. The seats are vertically adjustable over a sufficient working range, horizontally the Move & Stop system allows for two working modes, controlled by an available locking lever. When latched, the seat is fixed, releasing it allows movement on a spherical surface with an inclination of approx. 20 degrees forwards and sideways, thus fulfilling the function of dynamic sitting. The armrests are sufficiently adjustable in height, with three horizontal positions sufficiently suited to the variability of the working mode at the desk.

Clinical findings

Generally passive sitting in a relaxed position on a classic, although anatomically perfectly shaped, work chair creates conditions for reduced activity and gradual muscle wasting during work performance. This leads to postural disturbances, incorrect and uneven loading of the spinal muscles, overloading them, which later leads to the manifestation of difficulties with an impact on work performance.

The opposite is an original solution offering an unstable – dynamic sitting, in which the movements of the limbs and body cause changes in the centre of gravity, requiring an immediate and coordinated reaction of the muscles to stabilise the body. Spinergo health chairs with dynamic seating promote the activation of these so-called stabilising muscles, which the body ultimately benefits from as a preventive measure:

• to improve the position of the head and upper limbs
• to improve the upright posture of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, not only during the actual sitting, but also in normal activities
• to improve diaphragm function, respiratory movements of the chest
• against enormous loading, degeneration and damage to the intervertebral discs
• against musculoskeletal disorders related to insufficient and incorrect physical activity, which sedentary work certainly is

Subjective assessment of the Spinergo chairs’ seating is very good due to the design, sufficient load capacity, variable dynamic seating and ergonomic parameters that suit the majority of the population when working at a desk. A positive contribution is the innovative seat-locking option, which allows both dynamic and classic static seating. Although the sitting tolerance was very good from the start during testing, this combination is also suitable for the starting phase of chair use for the less physically fit, or as a relaxing break when sitting for longer periods of work.

Conclusion

Spinergo medical chairs with their construction, safety and ergonomic parameters meet not only the prescribed European standards, but also the manufacturer’s declared innovative use of the principle of dynamic sitting. The chairs can be recommended primarily for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, especially in professions associated with long-term sedentary work, including the need for movement in space during the work process.

In Košice 8.2.2018

MUDr. Želinský Ľudovít, PhD.
Head
Clinic of Medical Rehabilitation
Nemocnica Košice-Šaca a.s.

1. private hospital
Member of the AGEL Group