2002 Volume 68 Issue 5 Pages 167-175
In 1999, the Ministry of Health, Labor and welfare produced "A Guide to Zero Body Restraint (shintai kousoku zero he no tebiki)". The Guide indicates that beds should not be surrounded by bed-fences (side-rails) that might prevent patients from getting out of bed unassisted. However, until then, side-rails had been used to maintain the comfort and safety of patients. Side-supports utilize safety catches for users on the beds. The present research was conducted to examine any potential psychological influence resulting from differences in adjunctive bed implements. Methods: A total of 31 undergraduate students from University "A" participated after providing informed consent. Two beds were prepared and side-supports were installed in one bed, and side-rails in the other. Subjects lay on a bed for 50 minutes. The Semantic Differential method was used to estimate feelings associated with use of the bed, and involved subjects completing a 15-item questionnaire. The method was then repeated for the other bed. Differences in responses between the groups were compared using the Wilcoxon matched pairs signed ranks test. Results: In the evaluation using the Semantic Differential method, difference in psychological response to side-supports and side-rails was found. Significant differences were observed for 11 of the 15 questionnaire items. The environment with the bed attached side-support displayed a more positive image than that of the side-rails bed Conclusion: A clear difference in the influence of environments was identified. Problems with bed conditions should be addressed immediately.
