Quantitative evaluation of smart bed comfort in different typical conditions during resting.

Abstract

In response to the general inability of smart beds to meet the health needs of chronic disease management and long-term care, this study proposed to investigate smart bed comfort in different typical conditions. The objective body pressure distribution and subjective comfort of participants were collected when the smart bed was in typical conditions. Pressure sensor mat was used to accurately measure pressure distribution. Participants reported in real time on the subjective comfort for each typical condition. Statistical data analysis intended to investigate changes in overall and local comfort when the smart bed is in different typical conditions, the correlation between perceived comfort and body pressure distribution. During the experiment, mean and peak pressures increased by up to 87.19% and 92.85%, respectively, owing to changes in smart bed conditions. However, major body pressure indicators correlated with the overall and local comfort of each area were not completely aligned. Statistical data analysis shows the im-portance of evening out forces and reducing peak pressures. Apart from mean pressure, peak pressure, particularly at the buttock, thigh and shank areas, is the key factor in comfort evaluation. Moreover, adequate bed board partitioning and linkage mechanism between adjacent boards better fit the body curve and enhance comfort. Accordingly, ensuring relatively balanced body forces and avoiding the feeling of weightlessness improve user comfort and health significantly. The succeeding study will further investigate the relationship between smart bed comfort and changes in free lying positions and moving activities, hoping to provide a comfort studies basis for long-term care.