2019 Volume 3 Issue 1 Pages 12-18
Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of maintenance of Face-down positioning (FDP) on physiological and psychological responses of patients who require FDP after vitrectomy. Methods: The study included 22 healthy volunteers (21.9±2.6 years old) and two conditions: maintenance of FDP or maintenance of the sitting chair positioning (SCP). Study participants were evaluated for Profile of Mood States (POMS), subjective pain, blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability, shoulder muscle rigidity, skin temperature, and skin blood flow. Results: The change in POMS "fatigue" score before and after positioning was significantly greater in FDP than in SCP. Subjective pain increased over time in both FDP and SCP, but the increase was more pronounced in FDP and an interaction was observed between the neck and shoulders. Shoulder skin temperature decreased significantly over time in both FDP and SCP. In contrast, back skin temperature increased significantly in SCP, but decreased significantly in FDP. Conclusions: The psychological and physiological burdens are significant in FDP. Our results suggest that proactive support for relieving pain and promoting blood flow from the neck to the back region may be helpful in patients maintaining FDP.
