Chronic back pain might get better with air bed
Sleeping on an adjustable airbed instead of a conventional innerspring mattress reduces pain for some patients who are being treated for chronic nonspecific back pain, according to new research.
Matthew Monsein, MD, of the Sister Kenny Institute Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program in Minneapolis, and colleagues recruited 90 patients, 30 from each of three centers, with severe chronic back pain. The air pressure in the adjustable bed is controlled with a pump, and the air chamber and layers of foam are designed to minimize areas of excessive skin pressure, the researchers explained. With their own mattress serving as control, the patients slept on the airbed for 28 days, then on their own mattress for the next 14 days. The results appear in the Sept. 11, 2000 on-line journal Medscape General Medicine.
Pain as reported on a visual analog scale decreased an average of 32%, and sleep quality increased 75%, after 28 days of using the airbed. On the SF-36 health status survey, more than 87% of the patients reported improved bodily pain and 81%, increased physical functioning.
After the patients reverted to their own mattresses, 68% reported increased pain, and 78% reported poorer sleep. Results were similar for differing pain etiology groups — physical injury, herniated disc, and degenerative disc disease.
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