Do Pressure Relief Cushions Really Relieve Pressure?

Abstract

In a laboratory setting, interface pressures of 29 cushions and a sheepskin were measured on 20 healthy volunteers. Each participant was seated in an upright posture with their back against the back of the chair, hands resting on the lap, knees bent at an angle of 90 degrees, and feet resting on the floor. Only 13 cushions had any pressure-reducing effect. Gel cushions and sheepskins appear to have no pressure-reducing effect. The category of foam includes both cushions that reduce interface pressure very well and cushions that increase interface pressure. The lowest interface pressures were measured on air cushions and on some foam cushions.