J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2010 Apr;34(2):214-219.

Effects of Mattresses and Positioning on Interface Pressure and Skin Blood Flow

• Cho KH
• Yune SH
• Lee H

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of mattresses and positioning on interface pressure (IP) and skin blood flow in young healthy persons. METHOD: Ten healthy subjects were included. Three types of mattresses including standard hospital mattress, alternating pressure pump and pad, and alternating pressure air mattress (APAM) and four positions including supine, 30 degree trunk elevation, 30 degree leg elevation, and right 90 degree lateral position were evaluated. IP over the buttock was measured with force sensing array (FSA) pressure mapping system for every subjects lying in four positions on each mattresses. Skin blood flow was measured with laser doppler flowmeter probes that placed over the sacrum and right greater trochanter.
RESULTS
IP was significantly lower on the APAM than on the other types of mattresses in all positions. In the right 90 degree lateral position, the IP was significantly higher on all mattresses than that in the other positions, and in the 30 degree leg elevation, the IP was significantly lower on standard hospital mattress and APAM than that in the supine position. There were significant differences in the skin blood flow over the greater trochanter between the APAM and the other types of mattresses, while there were no significant differences over the sacrum on all mattresses.
CONCLUSION
APAM is likely to be the most effective as a preventive and treating measure for pressure ulcers. However, combined use of the APAMs with periodic position change might be necessary over the trochanter for effective pressure relief.

Keyword

Pressure ulcer; Alternating pressure air mattresses; Interface pressure; Blood flow

MeSH Terms

Beds
Buttocks
Deception
Femur
Flowmeters
Humans
Leg
Pressure Ulcer
Sacrum
Skin
Supine Position