title: Effect of Different Levels of Pressure Relieving Air-Mattress Firmness on Cough Strength.
abstract: Cough is an important host-defense mechanism. The elderly and patients who are severely ill cannot cough effectively when lying in the supine position. Furthermore, pressure relieving air-mattresses are recommended for preventing the development of pressure ulcers. In this study, we clarified whether or not the cough peak flow (CPF), an index of cough strength, is affected by different firmness levels of a pressure relieving air-mattress in healthy volunteers in the supine position. Fifty-two healthy young men participated. All the measurements were carried out on each participant in the supine position on a pressure relieving air-mattress. The participants were assessed at two firmness levels, a "hard" and "soft" mode. The CPF, forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal expiratory pressure (PEmax), and maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) were determined for each mode. The sinking distance of the body into the mattress was measured without any activity and the difference between the sinking distances of the two firmness levels was determined. The CPF, FVC, PEmax, and PImax were determined for each mode. The sinking distance of the body into the mattress was measured and the difference between the sinking distances of the two firmness levels was determined. The CPF, FVC, PEmax and PImax values of the participants coughing on the mattress were significantly lower when the mattress was in "soft" than in "hard" mode. The differences between the sinking distances of the mattress in "soft" and "hard" modes were larger for the anterior superior iliac spine. A harder mattress may lead to increased CPF in healthy young men lying in the supine position, and increased CPF may be important for host defense.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Analysis and Therapeutic Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.|Hiroshima College of Rehabilitation, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Norimichi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kamikawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Support, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Shunsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taito
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Analysis and Therapeutic Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Analysis and Therapeutic Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Kiyokazu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sekikawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Analysis and Therapeutic Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Hironobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hamada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D003371:Cough / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure; D016683:Supine Position; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult