title: Comparative study of a foam mattress and a water mattress.
abstract: In order to determine the effectiveness of high-quality foam replacement mattresses in the treatment of pressure ulcers, one such mattress (TheraRest) was compared with a water mattress (Secutex). One hundred and twenty nursing home patients with pressure ulcers were randomised into two groups and nursed on one of the mattresses for four weeks. After four weeks, 45% of the patients using the foam mattress were completely healed, compared with 48.3% of those using the water mattress. This difference is not significant. Since high-quality foam mattresses are cheaper in the long term than water mattresses, and are easier for nursing staff to manage, it is suggested that these mattresses are preferable.
authors.affiliation: University Groningen, Holland.
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Groen
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Groenier
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schuling
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001513:Beds / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011140:Polyurethanes; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000145:classification / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D011140:Polyurethanes; D014867:Water