Short-term outcomes of chronic back pain patients on an airbed vs innerspring mattresses.
OBJECTIVE
To compare SF-36, pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and sleep VAS outcomes of an adjustable airbed with innerspring mattresses in a population of chronic back pain sufferers.


METHODS
A-B-A trial, in 3 phases: the patients on their own bed for 1 night, on an adjustable airbed for 28 nights, and on their bed for 14 nights.


METHODS
Outpatient pain rehabilitation, physical therapy, and alternative medicine clinics.


METHODS
Three centers recruited 30 patients each with severe chronic back pain and without sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.


METHODS
SF-36 health status survey and VAS pain and sleep quality scales.


RESULTS
On VAS scales, 95% showed pain improvement, and 88% reported better sleep. The average improvements were a 32% pain decrease and a 73% increase in sleep quality, significant at P less than.001 (two-tail t test). Eighty percent improved on the SF-36 physical functioning dimension and 88% improved on the bodily pain dimension. The average score on each dimension improved (P less than.001). Eighty-five percent preferred the adjustable airbed.


CONCLUSIONS
SF-36 and VAS outcomes measures showed a highly significant benefit for the airbed design in this short-term comparison. The airbed appears to be a useful sleep aid and an adjunct to medical and physical therapies for chronic back pain sufferers.
Monsein
M
M
Sister Kenny Institute Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Corbin
T P
TP
Culliton
P D
PD
Merz
D
D
Schuck
E A
EA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D001513:Beds; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012107:Research Design; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome