Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2025
Tilt Testing with Combined Lower Body Negative Pressure: a "Gold Standard" for Measuring Orthostatic Tolerance
Published on: March 21, 2013
Variations in sacral oedema levels over continuous 60-degree head of bed elevation positioning in healthy adults: An
Madeline A Bone1, Brigid M Gillespie2, Sharon Latimer3
1NHMRC Wiser Wounds Centre in Research Excellence, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.
Background:
Subepidermal moisture (SEM) scanning is a novel technology that measures changes in localised oedema. Accumulation of subepidermal oedema is associated with early tissue damage that may lead to a pressure injury.
Aim:
The primary study objective was to observe the variations in sacral subepidermal oedema levels over a continuous period of 60-degree head of bed elevation positioning.
Methods:
Healthy adult participants were recruited in this prospective observational study. Participants were positioned at 60-degree head of bed elevation for 120 min and sacral SEM measurements were collected at baseline and in 20 min increments.
Results:
A total of 20 participants with a mean age of 39.3 years (SD = 14.7) were recruited. The mean SEM delta value increased 6.3% from 0.46 SEM delta at baseline to 0.49 SEM delta after 120 min, however these differences are not statistically significant (p = .21). There were also no significant findings between SEM delta variations and demographic factors.
Conclusion:
In a sample of healthy individuals, 120 min of continuous loading with a 60-degree head of bed elevation did not lead to a significant change in sacral subepidermal oedema levels. Further research on the response of healthy adult tissue under external forces associated with different angles of head of bed positioning may further contribute to our understanding pressure injury prevention.
More Related Videos
06:30Assessment of Static Graviceptive Perception in the Roll-Plane using the Subjective Visual Vertical Paradigm
Published on: April 28, 2020
08:05Occlusion of the Great and Small Saphenous Vein Using Copolymeric Glue Based on N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Methacryloxy Sulfolane
Published on: December 9, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:11Anatomical Positions
The body is upright, facing forward, and standing erect.
The feet are parallel and flat on the floor.
The arms are hanging by the...
01:28Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.