Abstract:

BACKGROUND: High pressure is always focused on bony prominence, and cushion can evenly distribute seat pressure. Therefore, it is important for pressure ulcer prevention to design an effective decompression cushion.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the pressure distribution of body-cushion interface contacted with anti-pressure sore composite silicone cushions at different positions, and to study the cushion form which can effectively decrease the interface pressure.
METHODS: The foam contour cushions were divided into the compound silicon cushions and pure foam cushions. According the size of the interface area, the compound silicon cushions were divided into full surface, below buttock and ischial tuberosity compound silicon cushions. Pressure parameters (maximum pressure, mean pressure, pressure standard deviation, ischial tuberosity pressure, sacral pressure, great trochanter pressure) and area parameters (overall contact area, high pressure contact area, middle pressure contact area, low pressure contact area and high pressure percentage, middle pressure percentage and low pressure percentage) of the four kinds of cushions on body-cushion interface were measured by X-sensor pressure system.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with pure foam cushions, composite silicon cushions showed smaller pressure value, high pressure area and high pressure percentage. Besides, compared with the full surface composite silicon cushions, the below buttock composite silicon cushions had smaller pressure value, high pressure area and high pressure percentage. While ischial tuberosity compound silicon cushions exhibited the smallest pressure parameters, high pressure area and high pressure percentage compared with the other three kinds of cushions, in addition, the pressure value of ischial tuberosity area was decreased significantly (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the composite silicon of foam contour cushions can reduce the interface pressure, and the composite positions of silicon cushions have a significant effect on the interface pressure value.