Assessing Post-Driving Discomfort and Its Influence on Gait Patterns

Professional drivers need constant attention during long driving periods and sometimes perform tasks outside the truck. Driving discomfort may justify inattention, but it does not explain post-driving accidents outside the vehicle. This study aims to study the discomfort developed during driving by analysing modified preferred postures, pressure applied at the interface with the seat, and changes in pre- and post-driving gait patterns. Each of the forty-four volunteers drove for two hours in a driving simulator. Based on the walking speed changes between the two gait cycles, three homogeneous study groups were identified. Two groups performed faster speeds, while one reduced it in the post-steering gait. While driving, the pressure at the interface and the area covered over the seat increased throughout the sample. Preferred driving postures differed between groups. No statistical differences were found between the groups in the angles between the segments (flexed and extended). Long-time driving develops local or whole-body discomfort, increasing interface pressure over time. While driving, drivers try to compensate by modifying their posture. After long steering periods, a change in gait patterns can be observed. These behaviours may result from the difficulties imposed on blood circulation by increasing pressure at this interface.

Comparing the Interface pressure distribution of the full body chest-lumbar cushion made of memory cotton with the traditional chest cushion

Background Pressure injuries are common complications occurred duration hospitalization, whether the interface pressure distribution in full body memory cotton chest-lumbar cushion was superior than traditional chest cushion remains unclear. Purpose This study aimed to compare the effects that the full body memory cotton chest-lumbar cushion versus traditional chest cushion on interface pressure. Methods A total of 66 healthy individuals were recruited. The volunteers were placed in the left lateral position and left armpit and iliac spine pressure and level of comfort were measured. Group differences were assessed using the paired t-test or Wilcoxon test according to data distribution. Additionally, multivariate regression analysis was applied to determine the potential role of sex, age, and body mass index on left armpit and iliac spine pressure and overall comfort. Results Compared with the traditional chest cushion, we noted that the full body chest-lumbar cushion made of memory cotton was associated with less pressure on the left armpit (38.17 ± 10.39 mmHg vs. 67.93 ± 14.67 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.0001) and iliac spine (43.32 ± 13.70 mmHg vs. 50.77 ± 20.94 mmHg, respectively; P = 0.0004). Moreover, we noted that the overall comfort with the memory cotton chest-lumbar cushion was higher than that with the traditional chest cushion (8.48 ± 1.08 vs. 6.36 ± 1.45, respectively; P < 0.0001). Finally, the multivariate regression analyses found iliac spine pressure could affect by sex (P = 0.0377) and body mass index (P = 0.0380). Conclusions The full body chest-lumbar cushion made of memory cotton had beneficial effects on left armpit and iliac spine pressure and on comfort. These findings should be applied to future clinical practice.

A Comparative Study of 2-Hour Interface Pressure in Different Angles of Laterally Inclined, Supine, and Fowler’s Position

Insufficient research exists for position change intervals to eradicate pressure ulcers. We tried to provide evidence for the position change interval by comparing peak pressure, risk area ratio, and the time to reach 30 mmHg and 60 mmHg, and presented this in detail, according to the angle in the three positions. The study conducted RCTs on a total of 64 healthy adults. For two hours, interface pressure measurements were compared with 30° and 90° tilting at the inclined, 0° and 45° head-of-bed (HOB) elevation at the supine, and 30° and 45° HOB elevation at the Fowler’s position. The peak pressure on 30° tilting remained less than 60 mmHg for 2 h, unlike 90° tilting. To reach 60 mmHg took 78.18 min at 30° tilting, within 30 min at the 30° supine, 30° and 45° at the Fowler’s position, and 39.55 min at 0° supine. The pressure difference according to the angles was only significant at 30° and 90° tilting, with no difference in the other groups. To prevent pressure ulcers, position changes are required every 2 h in the 30° tilting position, every 1.5 to 2 h at 0° supine, and at least every 1.5 h for all the other positions.

Predicting Compression Pressure of Knitted Fabric Using a Modified Laplace’s Law

The aim of this study is to develop a mathematical model for the prediction of compression pressure based on fabric parameters, such as engineering stress, engineering strain and engineering modulus of elasticity. Four knitted compression fabrics with different fibrous compositions and knit structures were used. Rectangular-cut strips were employed for the force–elongation characterization of the fabrics. The experimental pressure values between the fabric and rigid cylinder were assessed using a Picopress pressure measuring device. The mechanical and physical parameters of the fabric that influence the interface pressure, such as strain, elasticity modulus/stress and thickness, were determined and integrated into Laplace’s law. A good correlation was observed between the experimental and calculated pressure values for all combinations of fabrics, mounted with variable tension on the cylinder. Over the considered range of pressures, the difference between the two datasets was generally less than 0.5 mmHg. The effect of washing after five, ten and fifteen washing cycles on the fabric–cylinder interface pressure was found to be significant.

Effect of interface pressure and skin surface temperature on pressure injury incidence: a turning schedule pilot study

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the interface pressure and skin surface temperature in relation to the incidence of pressure injury (PI) using three different turning schedules. Method: This was a pilot study with a three-armed randomised clinical trial design. Participants at risk of PI and treated in the high dependency care unit in a regional hospital in Makassar, Indonesia participated in this study. Patients were repositioned at three different turning schedules (two-, three- and four-hourly intervals). Interface pressure measurement and skin surface temperature were measured between 14:00 and 18:00 every three days. The incidence of PI was assessed during the two-week observation period. Results: A total of 44 participants took part in the study. A one-way ANOVA test revealed no difference in interface pressure among the three different turning schedule groups within two weeks of observations: day zero, p=0.56; day four, p=0.95; day seven, p=0.56; day 10, p=0.63; and day 14, p=0.92. Although the average periumbilical temperature and skin surface temperature were not significant (p>0.05), comparison between these observation sites was significant on all observation days (p<0.05). Regarding the incidence of PI, the proportional hazard test for the development of PI in the three groups was considered not different (hazard ratio: 1.46, 95% confidence interval: 0.43–4.87, p=0.54). Conclusion: No difference in interface pressure and incidence of PI on the three turning schedules was observed; however, there was a potential increase in skin surface temperature in comparison with periumbilical temperature for all three turning schedules.