title: Randomised, controlled trial of alternating pressure mattresses compared with alternating pressure overlays for the prevention of pressure ulcers: PRESSURE (pressure relieving support surfaces) trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare whether differences exist between alternating pressure overlays and alternating pressure mattresses in the development of new pressure ulcers, healing of existing pressure ulcers, and patient acceptability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pragmatic, open, multicentre, randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  11 hospitals in six NHS trusts.
  
  
  METHODS
  1972 people admitted to hospital as acute or elective patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomised to an alternating pressure mattress (n = 982) or an alternating pressure overlay (n = 990).
  
  
  METHODS
  The proportion of participants developing a new pressure ulcer of grade 2 or worse; time to development of new pressure ulcers; proportions of participants developing a new ulcer within 30 days; healing of existing pressure ulcers; and patient acceptability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intention to treat analysis found no difference in the proportions of participants developing a new pressure ulcer of grade 2 or worse (10.7% overlay patients, 10.3% mattress patients; difference 0.4%, 95% confidence interval--2.3% to 3.1%, P = 0.75). More overlay patients requested change owing to dissatisfaction (23.3%) than mattress patients (18.9%, P = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No difference was found between alternating pressure mattresses and alternating pressure overlays in the proportion of people who develop a pressure ulcer.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ISRCTN 78646179.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trials Research Unit, University of Leeds.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nixon
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cranny
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Iglesias
authors.forename: E Andrea
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Torgerson
authors.forename: Su
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Nicky
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cullum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*