SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2000
Beds, mattresses and cushions for pressure sore prevention and treatment.
Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2000. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 57 citations in OpenAlex.
- Support surfaces for treating pressure ulcers.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2018Pooled it
- The effect of pressure-relieving surfaces on the prevention of heel ulcers in a variety of settings: a meta-analysis.International wound journal · 2007Pooled it
- Promote pressure ulcer healing in individuals with spinal cord injury using an individualized cyclic pressure-relief protocol.Advances in skin & wound care · 2009Trial
- Preventing pressure injuries in individuals with impaired mobility: Best practices and future directions.Journal of surgery and research · 2025Article
- Design for Bedridden Elderly: Presenting Pressure Ulcer Product Design Based on Anthropometric Characteristics.Computational intelligence and neuroscience · 2022Article
- [Traumatic periprosthetic fractures in patients with total hip replacement].Der Unfallchirurg · 2019Article
- Effects of Mattress Material on Body Pressure Profiles in Different Sleeping Postures.Journal of chiropractic medicine · 2017Article
- Seeking effective interventions to treat complex wounds: an overview of systematic reviews.BMC medicine · 2015Review
- Methodological issues in studies of the effectiveness of pressure ulcer prevention interventions.Advances in skin & wound care · 2009Article
- Pressure ulcer prevention: an evidence-based analysis.Ontario health technology assessment series · 2009Article
Corrections and comments
- Updated by
Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesTo assess the effectiveness of pressure relieving beds, mattresses and cushions (support surfaces) in the prevention and treatment of pressure sores. SEARCH STRATEGY: Searches of 19 databases, hand searching of journals, conference proceedings, and bibliographies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials evaluating support surfaces for the prevention or treatment of pressure sores. There was no restriction on articles based on language or publication status. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data extraction and assessment of study quality was undertaken by two reviewers independently. Trials with similar patients, comparisons, and outcomes were pooled. Where pooling was inappropriate, trials are discussed in a narrative review. MAIN
resultsPREVENTION: 29 RCTs of support surfaces for pressure sore prevention were identified. Some high specification foam mattresses were more effective than 'standard' hospital foam mattresses in moderate-high risk patients. Pressure relieving mattresses in the operating theatre reduced the incidence of pressure sores post-operatively. The relative merits of alternating and constant low pressure, and of the different alternating pressure devices are unclear. Seat cushions and simple, constant low-pressure devices have not been adequately evaluated. Limited evidence suggests that low air loss beds reduce the incidence of pressure sores in intensive care. TREATMENT: 6 RCTs of support surfaces for pressure sore treatment were identified. There is good evidence that air-fluidised and low air loss beds improve healing rates. Seat cushions have not been adequately evaluated. 2 RCTs evaluated surfaces for both prevention and treatment in the same trial. REVIEWER'S
conclusionsPREVENTION - There is good evidence of the effectiveness of high specification foam over standard hospital foam, and pressure relief in the operating theatre. Treatment - There is good evidence of the effectiveness of air-fluidised and low air loss devices as treatments. Overall, however, it is impossible to determine the most effective surface for either prevention or treatment.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.