Evaluation of mattresses using interface pressure mapping.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the ranking of mattresses using several different performance indices, calculated from interface pressure-mapping data.


METHODS
Five mattresses were compared using interface pressure-mapping on 10 healthy volunteers. Mattresses were ranked in order, on the basis of several different specified performance indices.


RESULTS
Different performance indices ranked the mattresses in different orders.


CONCLUSIONS
Elaborate performance indices should be used with care, since it is possible to construct a 'tailor-made' performance index to make any chosen mattress rank as the best. Care should be taken to ensure that a performance index is validated, preferably by some demonstrated link to clinical outcomes.
Bain
D
D
Centre for Disability Research and Innovation, University College London, UK. d.bain@ucl.ac.uk
Ferguson-Pell
M
M
McLeod
A
A
D000368:Aged; D001513:Beds; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D011312:Pressure