2022 Volume 25 Issue 5 Pages 816-826
Purpose: The goal was to clarify the passengers’ acceleration and psychological load on different mattresses during main-stretcher transport.
Method: Ten healthy adults were transported on a rough road and the acceleration was continuously recorded by a semiconductor sensor, and the psychological load was evaluated using a visual analog scale and a questionnaire. The differences were compared between the mattresses. The mattresses used were A: Polyurethane mattress “a” (“a” only), currently used by the ambulance crew, B: a shock-absorbing mattress “b” was laid on top of “a” (“a + b”), and C: A fine styrofoam beads-filled mattress “c” was laid on top of “a” (“a + c”). The mattress “c” solidifies to secure the body by air-suction.
Results: B tended to have lower acceleration than A and C, and lower anxiety and tension in psychological load.
Conclusion: The results suggest that the main-stretcher transport can be improved by choosing a shock absorbing mattresses.
