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Comparison of perceived pain with different immobilization techniques
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Scott & White Clinic and Memorial Hospital, Texas A & M University System Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Temple 76508, USA.
Prehospital Emergency Care
|July 12, 2001
Summary
A hard spine board causes more pain than soft vacuum splints during spinal immobilization. This study found higher pain scores on the occiput, lower back, and sacrum with the hard board.
Area of Science:
- Emergency medicine
- Orthopedic immobilization techniques
Background:
- Spinal immobilization is crucial in trauma care.
- Traditional hard spine boards are commonly used but may cause discomfort.
- Vacuum mattress splints offer an alternative immobilization method.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare pain levels associated with hard spine boards versus soft vacuum mattress splints.
- To identify specific body locations experiencing significant pain during immobilization.
Main Methods:
- Prospective randomized crossover study with 18 healthy volunteers.
- Volunteers were immobilized on a hard spine board and two vacuum splint models for 60 minutes each.
- Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) at 0, 30, and 60 minutes.
Main Results:
- The hard spine board resulted in statistically significant higher mean pain scores at the occiput, lower back, and sacrum compared to vacuum splints.
- A higher percentage of subjects reported pain with the hard spine board.
- Specific mean pain scores for occiput, lower back, and sacrum were consistently higher for the hard board across time points.
Conclusions:
- Hard spine boards generate greater self-reported pain than vacuum mattress splints.
- Vacuum mattress splints may offer a more comfortable alternative for spinal immobilization.