title: The effects of different lying positions on interface pressure, skin temperature, and tissue blood flow in nursing home residents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although repositioning is considered an important intervention to prevent pressure ulcers, tissue response during loading in different lying positions has not been adequately explored.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects of different lying positions on interface pressure, skin temperature, and tissue blood flow in nursing home residents.
  
  
  METHODS
  From May 2011 to August 2012, interface pressure, skin temperature, and blood flow at three tissue depths were measured for 1 hr over the sacrum in 30° supine tilt and 0° supine positions and over the trochanter major in 30° lateral and 90° lateral positions in 25 residents aged 65 years or older. Measurement of interface pressure was accomplished using a pneumatic pressure transmitter connected to a digital manometer, skin temperature using a temperature sensor, and blood flow using photoplethysmography and laser Doppler flowmetry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interface pressure was significantly higher in the 0° supine and 90° lateral positions than in 30° supine tilt and 30° lateral positions. The mean skin temperature increased from baseline in all positions. Blood flow was significantly higher in the 30° supine tilt position compared to the other positions. A hyperemic response in the post pressure period was seen at almost all tissue depths and positions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 30° supine tilt position generated less interface pressure and allowed greater tissue perfusion, suggesting that this position is the most beneficial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden Department of Dermatology, Södra Älvsborgs Sjukhus, Borås, Sweden ulrika.kallman@liu.se.
authors.forename: Ulrika
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Källman
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Engström
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Burns and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bergstrand
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna-Christina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ek
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational and Environmental Sciences, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden Linköping Academic Research Centre (LARC), Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fredrikson
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lars-Göran
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Lindberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Margareta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindgren
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D009735:Nursing Homes; D017156:Photoplethysmography; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: interface pressure; nursing home residents; patient repositioning; pressure ulcer; skin temperature; tissue blood flow