NIH-funded research Sbir 1 grant

Innovative chair to prevent pressure injuries in people with Alzheimer's disease

Official title: Chair to Prevent and Treat Pressure Injuries in Persons Living with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

Funded at Minnesota Healthsolutions Corporation · NIH-10917838 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a special chair that can change its shape to help prevent bedsores for people with Alzheimer's or similar conditions, making it easier for caregivers to keep them comfortable and safe at home or in care facilities.

More s Disease research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 1 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMinnesota Healthsolutions Corporation
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Paul, United States)
Project startSeptember 25, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$356,548
NIH project number1R43AG087785-01
Project IDNIH-10917838 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, particularly those in long-term care facilities or receiving care at home.

Less likely to help

Patients with mild cognitive impairment or those without Alzheimer's disease or related dementias may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research aims to create a specialized chair designed with a programmable surface that shifts pressure to help prevent and treat pressure injuries in individuals living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. The chair will address the challenges faced by caregivers in repositioning patients, which is crucial for preventing these injuries. The project will involve testing the chair's effectiveness in pressure shifting as well as its usability and comfort for patients. The goal is to make this chair suitable for use in both home settings and long-term care facilities.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of pressure injuries in patients with Alzheimer's disease and improve their overall quality of care.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that active pressure-shifting devices can be more effective than passive ones, indicating potential for success with this innovative approach.

Where this research is happening

  • Minnesota Healthsolutions Corporation
    Saint Paul, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Seifert, Sara — Minnesota Healthsolutions Corporation
  • Study coordinator: Seifert, Sara

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.