Head movements and the psychological burden experienced by patients during main stretcher transportation as related to various pillow types

Abstract

Purpose: Four different types of pillow were compared for their ability to stabilize head and subjective comfort in patients during main-stretcher transport.

Methods: The four types of pillow were: (A) a pillow currently in use in ambulances, (B) a new type of pillow of our design for this purpose, (C) a pillow that fixes the head in place, and (D) a pillow filled with shock-absorbing material.  Patients were provided with these pillows, and head movement (angular velocity and rotation angle) was measured using a gyro-sensor attached to the patient’s forehead, and psychological burden was measured using the visual analog scale, saliva amylase activity and a questionnaire.

Results: The rotation angles of the heads in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions were lower in cases (B) and (C). The psychological burden was low in case (B).

Conclusion: Patient head can be stabilized during the main-stretcher transport by making appropriate alterations of pillow shape and material. Head stabilization leads to the psychological stability of the patient and may reduce the risk of exacerbation of the head disease, such as re-bleeding of subarachnoid hemorrhage.