Pressure-reducing cushions: perceptions of comfort from the wheelchair users' perspective using interface pressure, temperature and humidity measurements.

Introduction: There are many static pressure-reducing cushions commercially available consisting of foams, gels, air or a combination of these. There is, however, little evidence available on their effectiveness to guide prescription. In practice, comfort tends to be a major factor in determining whether a pressure-reducing cushion will continue to be used, although it is unclear as to what determines comfort.

Physiological response of the heel tissue on pressure relief between three alternating pressure air mattresses.

Heels have substantially higher tissue interface pressures and are prone to ulceration compared to other bony prominences. Although many different types of alternating pressure air mattresses (APAMs) are used for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, a few high-quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are available on which to base purchasing decisions. Faced with this situation, physiological measurements are increasingly being used as a surrogate.

Transverse rotation and longitudinal translation during prosthetic gait--a literature review.

Improved technology allows for more accurate gait analysis to increase awareness of nonoptimized prosthetic gait patterns and for the manufacture of sophisticated prosthetic components to improve nonoptimized gait patterns. However, prescriptions are often based on intuition rather than rigorous research findings for evidence-based practice. The number of studies found in the literature that are based on prosthetic research regarding transverse rotation and longitudinal translation is small when compared to topics regarding other types of movements.

Evaluation of alternating pressure air mattresses: one laboratory-based strategy.

Although many different type of alternating pressure air mattresses (APAMs) are used for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, few high quality randomised controlled trials are available on which to base purchasing decisions. Faced with this situation, physiological measurements are increasingly being used as a surrogate. Laboratory evaluation techniques have centred largely on interface pressure (IP) measurement, typically analysing discrete maximum and minimum levels, or average pressure.

Randomized clinical trial comparing 2 support surfaces: results of the Prevention of Pressure Ulcers Study.

Objective: To determine whether a viscoelastic polymer (energy absorbing) foam mattress was superior to a standard hospital mattress for pressure ulcer prevention and to analyze the cost-effectiveness in comparison with standard hospital mattresses.

Design: Unblinded, randomized, prospective trial.

Setting: Elderly acute care, rehabilitation, and orthopedic wards at 3 hospitals in the United Kingdom.

Evaluation of intermittent pneumatic compression systems.

The operational characteristics of eight intermittent pneumatic compression systems were evaluated. Considerable differences between the pressure/time curves were found when different pumps were compared. The pressure attained in the garments varied from 6 to 124 mmHg and the rate of inflation from less than 1 to 9 mmHg per second.