Comparative Evaluation of Aporia® Ergonomic Cushions for Pelvic-Perineal, Coccyx, and Lower Back Comfort
The Pelvi-Seat study conducted by Nantes University Hospital compares Aporia® ergonomic cushions with traditional chairs for pelvic-perineal, coccyx, and lower back discomfort while sitting. Results report improved perceived comfort and reduced perceived pain with Aporia® cushions.
Preliminary Disclaimer by Blue Portance (outside the hospital study).
It is important to note that the testing time used in this study only measures immediate feedback. As with any ergonomic solution, proper adjustment of the seating is essential to ensure optimal comfort and longer-term support. Much like a shoe that must adapt to your foot, Aporia® ergonomic seating requires an adaptation period. This is why we offer a one-month trial period, after which more than 80% of our customers choose to keep their Aporia® seat.
Furthermore, the tests did not include the adaptive shims that Blue Portance normally supplies with Aporia® cushions. These shims allow for a personalized adjustment to each user’s pelvic-spinal profile. Their absence may therefore underestimate the actual effectiveness of the cushions in terms of comfort and perceived pain reduction.
1. Context and Objective: Addressing Pelvic-Perineal, Coccyx, and Lower Back Discomfort
Pudendal neuralgia, coccyx pain, and low back pain: disabling conditions in a seated position
Pain associated with the pudendal nerve (pudendal neuralgia), the cluneal nerve (cluneal neuralgia), and the coccyx (coccygodynia) is common among patients at Nantes University Hospital. It is often accompanied by low back pain. Together, these conditions make prolonged sitting difficult and affect quality of life during everyday activities such as meals, commuting, or work.
As a result, medical recommendations include ergonomic seating to relieve painful pressure points, as well as effective postural support to reduce tension in sensitive areas.
Why choose Aporia® ergonomic cushions to relieve pelvic-perineal and coccyx discomfort?
Preliminary trials in 2022 showed that Aporia® cushions provide dynamic postural support and pressure offloading in painful areas such as the pudendal nerve and coccyx. Built around a flexible, multi-articulated structure, these cushions adapt to the user’s movements and support sustained comfort.
Aporia® cushions are not medical devices. However, their design specifically targets sitting discomfort in pelvic, coccygeal, and perineal areas, while offering prolonged comfort for people living with chronic pain.
2. Methodology: Comparative Evaluation of Aporia® Ergonomic Seating
To measure the effectiveness of Aporia® cushions compared with traditional seating, the study tested four types of seats:
- A hard seat (Chair 1),
- A padded seat (Chair 3),
- An Aporia® cushion targeting perineal pain relief (Chair 2),
- An Aporia® cushion addressing coccyx pain (Chair 4).
Each patient tested these seats for 15 minutes and then completed an evaluation questionnaire. Evaluation criteria included perceived pain, comfort, postural support, and discretion of the device.
3. Study Population: A Representative Sample of Patients with Pelvic-Perineal Pain
Overall, the study enrolled 95 patients. Participants were predominantly female (82%) with a median age of 45 years. In terms of body profile, 55% showed a standard BMI and 40% a high BMI, including overweight and obesity. All patients experienced pelvic-perineal pain. A majority also reported coccyx pain (65%), pudendal nerve pain (50%), and cluneal nerve pain (25%). This diversity of profiles makes the results representative of patients affected by these conditions.
4. Key Results: Satisfaction, Perceived Pain, and User Preferences
Previous use of ergonomic cushions: dissatisfaction with existing solutions
Among participants, 47% already used an ergonomic cushion, but only 11% felt satisfied with their current solution. Most users (64.4%) hoped for better pain reduction. Beyond that, 42% sought improved ergonomics, 25% better comfort, and 20% improved postural support. In addition, 27% placed high importance on device discretion, highlighting the need for a cushion suited to professional and social environments.
Overall satisfaction with Aporia® ergonomic cushions
Traditional chairs generated strong dissatisfaction: 69% for hard chairs and 79% for padded chairs. In contrast, users widely appreciated Aporia® cushions. The coccyx version reached 63% satisfaction and the perineal version 59%. These results are particularly notable given the high prevalence of coccyx pain among participants.
Significant reduction in perceived pain with Aporia® cushions
A majority of participants found hard and padded chairs painful (69% and 79%). By contrast, Aporia® cushions significantly reduced perceived pain. With the coccyx version, 45% of users reported no pain at all. With the perineal version, 38% reported a clear reduction in pain.
User preference: Aporia® cushions widely favored
Aporia® cushions dominated satisfaction rankings. Specifically, the perineal version earned 77% of votes in the top two positions, while the coccyx version followed with 67%. Users cited pain reduction (73%), optimized postural support (43%), and ergonomics (40%) as the primary reasons.
Prolonged comfort: notable improvement but limitations over time
After the initial short tests, patients completed a 4-minute extended test on Aporia® cushions. Fifty-four (54) patients preferred the perineal version and 40 preferred the coccyx version. Positive opinions improved overall: from 65% to 80% for the perineal version and from 58% to 70% for the coccyx version. However, patients reported discomfort after prolonged sitting. Specifically, 63% of perineal users and 53% of coccyx users noted discomfort after 4 minutes.
Comfort criteria: perineal and coccyx cushions compared
Perception of the cut-out: mixed feedback
31% of perineal users and 40% of coccyx users found the cut-out uncomfortable. Moreover, a majority (59% to 69%) felt it was not wide enough, which may explain this discomfort.
Range and fluidity of movement: Aporia® cushions facilitate movement
Users judged Aporia® cushions very effective in facilitating movement. Only 12% of perineal users and 17% of coccyx users reported limitations in range of motion. Regarding fluidity, 92% of perineal users and 83% of coccyx users described their movements as fluid and effortless.
Conclusion
Conclusion by Blue Portance (outside the hospital study).
The Pelvi-Seat study shows that Aporia® ergonomic cushions provide significant relief for pelvic-perineal and coccygeal discomfort. Users report a notable reduction in discomfort linked to prolonged sitting. Their multi-articulated structure combines dynamic postural support and pressure reduction — meeting user expectations for comfort, relief, and mobility.
At Blue Portance, we believe Aporia® cushions offer an effective response for pudendal and cluneal sensitivities, coccyx discomfort, and lower back tension. The high satisfaction rate and positive customer feedback after a trial period confirm that gradual adaptation is key to fully benefiting from their ergonomic effects.
Our commitment: to continue innovating and offering ergonomic solutions that improve quality of life for people living with chronic discomfort.