An evaluation of fluid immersion therapy for the prevention of pressure ulcers
An evaluation of fluid immersion therapy for the prevention of pressure ulcers
Background: Individuals with impaired mobility can spend prolonged periods on support surfaces, increasing their risk of developing pressure ulcers. Manufacturers have developed mattresses to maximise contact area. The present study evaluated both the biomechanical and physiological responses to lying postures on a Fluid Immersion Simulation mattress.
Methods: Seventeen healthy participants were recruited to evaluate the mattress during three prescribed settings of immersion (high, medium and low). Parameters reflecting biomechanical and physiological responses, and the microclimate were monitored during three postures (supine, lateral and high-sitting) over a 90 minute test session. Transcutaneous oxygen and carbon dioxide gas responses were categorised according to three criteria and data were compared between each condition.
Findings: Results indicated that interface pressures remained consistent, with peak sacral values ranging from 21 to 27 mm Hg across all immersion settings and postures. The majority of participants (82%) exhibited minimal changes in gas tensions at the sacrum during all test conditions. By contrast, three participants exhibited decreased oxygen with increased carbon dioxide tensions for all three immersion settings. Supine and high sitting sacral microclimate values ranged between 30.1–30.6 °C and 42.3–44.5% for temperature and relative humidity respectively. During lateral tilt there was a reduction of 1.7–2.5 °C and 3.3–5.3% in these values. The majority of participants reported high comfort scores, although a few experienced bottoming out during the high-sitting posture at the high immersion setting.
Interpretation: Fluid Immersion Simulation provides an intelligent approach to increase the support area. Further research is required to provide evidence based guidance on the use of personalised support surfaces.
28-32
Worsley, P.R.
6d33aee3-ef43-468d-aef6-86d190de6756
Parsons, B.
1e4ef775-2066-45b0-ada3-0a9a6026e210
Bader, D.L.
9884d4f6-2607-4d48-bf0c-62bdcc0d1dbf
1 December 2016
Worsley, P.R.
6d33aee3-ef43-468d-aef6-86d190de6756
Parsons, B.
1e4ef775-2066-45b0-ada3-0a9a6026e210
Bader, D.L.
9884d4f6-2607-4d48-bf0c-62bdcc0d1dbf
Worsley, P.R., Parsons, B. and Bader, D.L.
(2016)
An evaluation of fluid immersion therapy for the prevention of pressure ulcers.
Clinical Biomechanics, 40, .
(doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2016.10.010).
Abstract
Background: Individuals with impaired mobility can spend prolonged periods on support surfaces, increasing their risk of developing pressure ulcers. Manufacturers have developed mattresses to maximise contact area. The present study evaluated both the biomechanical and physiological responses to lying postures on a Fluid Immersion Simulation mattress.
Methods: Seventeen healthy participants were recruited to evaluate the mattress during three prescribed settings of immersion (high, medium and low). Parameters reflecting biomechanical and physiological responses, and the microclimate were monitored during three postures (supine, lateral and high-sitting) over a 90 minute test session. Transcutaneous oxygen and carbon dioxide gas responses were categorised according to three criteria and data were compared between each condition.
Findings: Results indicated that interface pressures remained consistent, with peak sacral values ranging from 21 to 27 mm Hg across all immersion settings and postures. The majority of participants (82%) exhibited minimal changes in gas tensions at the sacrum during all test conditions. By contrast, three participants exhibited decreased oxygen with increased carbon dioxide tensions for all three immersion settings. Supine and high sitting sacral microclimate values ranged between 30.1–30.6 °C and 42.3–44.5% for temperature and relative humidity respectively. During lateral tilt there was a reduction of 1.7–2.5 °C and 3.3–5.3% in these values. The majority of participants reported high comfort scores, although a few experienced bottoming out during the high-sitting posture at the high immersion setting.
Interpretation: Fluid Immersion Simulation provides an intelligent approach to increase the support area. Further research is required to provide evidence based guidance on the use of personalised support surfaces.
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 17 October 2016
e-pub ahead of print date: 19 October 2016
Published date: 1 December 2016
Organisations:
Faculty of Health Sciences
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 401837
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/401837
ISSN: 0268-0033
PURE UUID: 5778910a-c7fb-45a6-bae2-d08c0fcc57ee
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Date deposited: 21 Oct 2016 14:08
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 06:00
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Author:
B. Parsons
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