Abstract
This study aimed to compare the effect of three types of dressings on enhancing heel pressure and shear force reduction at elevating head-of-bed angles at a spine position. A total of 26 healthy volunteers participated. A three-axis tactile sensor was directly applied on the interface of the heel and then covered with the following three dressings: film dressing (as a control), low frictional outer layered hydrocolloid dressing (LFH dressing), and multilayered silicone foam dressing (MSF dressing). The interface pressure and shear force were measured by the sensor at 0, 30, 45, and 60 degrees of the elevated head-of-bed angle. The pressure and shear force in all axis directions in the LFH dressing was equivalent compared with those in the MSF dressing, while those in the film dressing reached to be higher (p<0.05). The relative value of vertical shear force to pressure for the LFH and MSF dressings was approximately 1.0, while that in the film dressing was 1.7. In conclusion, the LFH and MSF dressings reduced pressure and shear forces at head-of-bed elevation, compared with the film dressing, and were considered available for preventing heel pressure injury.
