Rest Your Back Mattress - Cincinnati, Ohio

Clinical Study Summaries

Tempur-Pedic® Medical mattresses have been in use for wound care for almost 15 years throughout the U.S. and Europe. These mattresses have been clinically proven to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers more effectively than foam mattresses and even more effectively than alternating pressure surfaces. One of the published articles looks across multiple studies to show that TEMPUR® mattresses provide an environment conducive to healing wounds. TEMPUR material is better than foam and better than air because it has fluid properties. These properties cause the mattress to not only immerse the patient but to envelop them, molding to their individual shape, with no maintenance. The mattresses then provide pressure relief to the majority of patients and residents.

Summaries of the clinical studies are below.

The studies highlight the following from published articles: 65 at risk patients on a TEMPUR Med® mattress had an incidence rate of Stage II to Stage IV decubitus ulcers of 3% turning the patient every 4 hours. Standard foam with a 2 hour turning schedule had a 14% incidence rate 50 patients with hip fractures on a TEMPUR Med mattress had an incidence rate of Stage II to Stage IV pressure ulcers of 8% compared to 15% on a standard hospital mattress. Using 32 patients from multiple studies, the TEMPUR Med mattress showed healing on wounds, including 33%/week of stage II wounds. The TEMPUR Med mattress can be appropriate for use in prevention and may be a valuable adjunct in the care of Stage I, II, many Stage III, and certain Stage IV pressure ulcers.

Tempur-Pedic Medical has these mattresses in over 90 homes across the country. In an analysis of a year 's worth of data covering over 1.5 million resident days, the incidence rate of Stage II or higher wounds was .74%, much lower than the national average of 5.6%. This study was peer reviewed and presented as a poster session at the 2003 SAWC.

TEMPUR Med MATTRESS CLINICAL RESEARCH DeFloor, T., DeBacquer, D., and Grypdonck, M. (2005). The Effect of Various Combinations of Turning and Pressure Reducing Devices on the Incidence of Pressure Ulcers, International Journal of Nursing Studies, 42 (2005), 37-46.

Various turning schedule combinations were evaluated: the combination of turning every 4 hours with the use of the TEMPUR Med mattress significantly decreased the number of pressure ulcers, even in comparison with turning every 2 hours on a standard hospital mattress. Although there was no difference in the incidence of Stage I pressure ulcers, the incidence of Stage II-IV pressure ulcers in the TEMPUR Med group was 3% as compared to incidence in the other groups which varied between 14.3% to 24.1%.

Gunningberg, L., Lindholm, C., Carlsson, M., P.O. (2000). Effect of Viscoelastic Foam Mattresses on the Development of Pressure Ulcers in Patients With Hip Fractures, Journal of Wound Care, 9(10), 455-460.

Using a prospective randomized controlled trial design, 101 patients were randomly assigned to either a TEMPUR Med viscoelastic foam mattress or a standard hospital mattress. Although there was no significant difference in the total incidence of pressure ulcers between the 2 groups, the patients on the standard hospital mattress developed more severe pressure ulcers (Stage II-Stage IV). Only 8% in the TEMPUR Med group, but 15% in the standard mattress group developed these more severe pressure ulcers. Of note is that the nursing documentation demonstrated a tendency to offer more preventive nursing interventions to the patients on the standard hospital mattress, including using a powered mattress overlay. In those cases the TEMPUR Med was actually being compared to a standard mattress with an advanced overlay, and still prevented more severe pressure ulcers.

Flam, E. and Raab, L. (2005). Support Surfaces: Viscoelastic Expanded Urethane Versus Conventional Foam, Extended Care Product News, 97(1), 29-34.

Two support surfaces were evaluated: TEMPUR Med viscoelastic and polyurethane foam used in standard hospital mattresses. The peak pressures occurred immediately upon application of the full load on both materials. The deformation of the polyurethane foam was primarily elastic, but the TEMPUR® viscoelastic material underwent both elastic and significant viscous, fluid-like deformation resulting in pressure reduction > 4 times that observed with the polyurethane foam. These findings support the conclusion that the TEMPUR Med viscoelastic material provides significant pressure reduction as compared with the standard polyurethane foam.

Fontaine, R. (2000). Investigating the Efficacy of a Non-powered Pressure-Reducing Therapeutic Mattress, Ostomy Wound Management, 46(9), 3-11.

To ascertain the ability of combining data to examine the effectiveness of a non-powered therapeutic support surface (TEMPUR Med mattress), data from independent studies were analyzed. Seventeen of 75 individuals were placed on the mattress for prevention, and no pressure ulcers occurred in this group. Wounds on 28 of the subjects healed or were reduced in size, 3 remained unchanged and 1 worsened (total 32 subjects ' records sufficiently complete to be included in review). Overall, in this group of 32 subjects, wound size was reduced by an average of 68.85% over an average of 84.82 days on the mattress, or 25.05% per week. The rate of size reduction for Stage I pressure ulcers was 46% per week; Stage II ulcer size reduction was 33% per week; Stage III ulcer size reduction was 6.97% per week; and the size of Stage IV ulcers was reduced by 3.24% per week. The data indicate that the TEMPUR Med mattress can be appropriate for use in prevention and may be a valuable adjunct in the care of Stage I, II, many Stage III, and certain Stage IV pressure ulcers.

Marino, J. (2001). TEMPUR Med: Choosing the Correct Pressure Area Care System, British Journal of Nursing, 10(20), 1364-1367.

The TEMPUR Med replacement mattress and other surfaces, including seating cushions and stretcher pads, provide a clinically sound and cost-effective pressure management system for a wide variety of patients, up to and including those at very high risk of developing pressure ulcers. The mattresses also reduce the need for dynamic systems that would otherwise be needed for these patients. In summary, the TEMPUR Med surfaces achieve the goals of cost-effective care, while enhancing patient care and comfort.

Vanderwee, K., Grypdonck, M., and DeFloor, T. (2005). Effectiveness of an Alternating Pressure Air Mattress for the Prevention of Pressure Ulcers, Age and Aging, 1-7.

In a study sponsored by Huntleigh Healthcare, an alternating pressure powered mattress manufactured by Huntleigh (APPM), without a turning protocol, was compared to the TEMPUR Med mattress (TPM), plus an every 4 hour turning schedule. The patient's risk status was defined using the Braden Risk Scale or by the presence of a Stage I. The data suggest that the TEMPUR mattress was statistically equivalent to the APPM, i.e., the number of patients developing a pressure ulcer was the same on both surfaces (~15% of the sample), but the APPM group developed more severe pressure ulcers than the TEMPUR Med group. In the APPM group, 76.5% of patients who developed a pressure ulcer, developed a Stage II, and 23.5% developed a Stage III or Stage IV. However, in the TEMPUR Med group, 94.3% of patients who developed a pressure ulcer developed a Stage II, while only 5.7% developed a Stage III or IV. Fewer patients developed a heel ulcer while on the APPM, but in both the APPM and TEMPUR Med groups, the heels were off-loaded by elevation, so it is likely that any heel ulcers that occurred were a result of another factor and not the mattresses themselves.


Tempur-pedic Tempur® Material Tempur-pedic Beds Adjustable base Tempur-pedic FAQ Sleep Ezz Acid Reflux Base Sleep Ezz Adjustable Base Sleep Ezz FAQ South Bay Bedding South Bay Beds Visco-Elastic Foam Wedge Support Technology Stearns & Foster Stearns & Foster Beds Health Benefits Memory Foam Adjustable Beds Current Research	Clinical Study Summaries Tempur-Pedic® Medical mattresses have been in use for wound care for almost 15 years throughout the U.S. and Europe. These mattresses have been clinically proven to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers more effectively than foam mattresses and even more effectively than alternating pressure surfaces. One of the published articles looks across multiple studies to show that TEMPUR® mattresses provide an environment conducive to healing wounds. TEMPUR material is better than foam and better than air because it has fluid properties. These properties cause the mattress to not only immerse the patient but to envelop them, molding to their individual shape, with no maintenance. The mattresses then provide pressure relief to the majority of patients and residents. Summaries of the clinical studies are below. The studies highlight the following from published articles: 65 at risk patients on a TEMPUR Med® mattress had an incidence rate of Stage II to Stage IV decubitus ulcers of 3% turning the patient every 4 hours. Standard foam with a 2 hour turning schedule had a 14% incidence rate 50 patients with hip fractures on a TEMPUR Med mattress had an incidence rate of Stage II to Stage IV pressure ulcers of 8% compared to 15% on a standard hospital mattress. Using 32 patients from multiple studies, the TEMPUR Med mattress showed healing on wounds, including 33%/week of stage II wounds. The TEMPUR Med mattress can be appropriate for use in prevention and may be a valuable adjunct in the care of Stage I, II, many Stage III, and certain Stage IV pressure ulcers. Tempur-Pedic Medical has these mattresses in over 90 homes across the country. In an analysis of a year 's worth of data covering over 1.5 million resident days, the incidence rate of Stage II or higher wounds was .74%, much lower than the national average of 5.6%. This study was peer reviewed and presented as a poster session at the 2003 SAWC. TEMPUR Med MATTRESS CLINICAL RESEARCH DeFloor, T., DeBacquer, D., and Grypdonck, M. (2005). The Effect of Various Combinations of Turning and Pressure Reducing Devices on the Incidence of Pressure Ulcers, International Journal of Nursing Studies, 42 (2005), 37-46. Various turning schedule combinations were evaluated: the combination of turning every 4 hours with the use of the TEMPUR Med mattress significantly decreased the number of pressure ulcers, even in comparison with turning every 2 hours on a standard hospital mattress. Although there was no difference in the incidence of Stage I pressure ulcers, the incidence of Stage II-IV pressure ulcers in the TEMPUR Med group was 3% as compared to incidence in the other groups which varied between 14.3% to 24.1%. Gunningberg, L., Lindholm, C., Carlsson, M., P.O. (2000). Effect of Viscoelastic Foam Mattresses on the Development of Pressure Ulcers in Patients With Hip Fractures, Journal of Wound Care, 9(10), 455-460. Using a prospective randomized controlled trial design, 101 patients were randomly assigned to either a TEMPUR Med viscoelastic foam mattress or a standard hospital mattress. Although there was no significant difference in the total incidence of pressure ulcers between the 2 groups, the patients on the standard hospital mattress developed more severe pressure ulcers (Stage II-Stage IV). Only 8% in the TEMPUR Med group, but 15% in the standard mattress group developed these more severe pressure ulcers. Of note is that the nursing documentation demonstrated a tendency to offer more preventive nursing interventions to the patients on the standard hospital mattress, including using a powered mattress overlay. In those cases the TEMPUR Med was actually being compared to a standard mattress with an advanced overlay, and still prevented more severe pressure ulcers. Flam, E. and Raab, L. (2005). Support Surfaces: Viscoelastic Expanded Urethane Versus Conventional Foam, Extended Care Product News, 97(1), 29-34. Two support surfaces were evaluated: TEMPUR Med viscoelastic and polyurethane foam used in standard hospital mattresses. The peak pressures occurred immediately upon application of the full load on both materials. The deformation of the polyurethane foam was primarily elastic, but the TEMPUR® viscoelastic material underwent both elastic and significant viscous, fluid-like deformation resulting in pressure reduction > 4 times that observed with the polyurethane foam. These findings support the conclusion that the TEMPUR Med viscoelastic material provides significant pressure reduction as compared with the standard polyurethane foam. Fontaine, R. (2000). Investigating the Efficacy of a Non-powered Pressure-Reducing Therapeutic Mattress, Ostomy Wound Management, 46(9), 3-11. To ascertain the ability of combining data to examine the effectiveness of a non-powered therapeutic support surface (TEMPUR Med mattress), data from independent studies were analyzed. Seventeen of 75 individuals were placed on the mattress for prevention, and no pressure ulcers occurred in this group. Wounds on 28 of the subjects healed or were reduced in size, 3 remained unchanged and 1 worsened (total 32 subjects ' records sufficiently complete to be included in review). Overall, in this group of 32 subjects, wound size was reduced by an average of 68.85% over an average of 84.82 days on the mattress, or 25.05% per week. The rate of size reduction for Stage I pressure ulcers was 46% per week; Stage II ulcer size reduction was 33% per week; Stage III ulcer size reduction was 6.97% per week; and the size of Stage IV ulcers was reduced by 3.24% per week. The data indicate that the TEMPUR Med mattress can be appropriate for use in prevention and may be a valuable adjunct in the care of Stage I, II, many Stage III, and certain Stage IV pressure ulcers. Marino, J. (2001). TEMPUR Med: Choosing the Correct Pressure Area Care System, British Journal of Nursing, 10(20), 1364-1367. The TEMPUR Med replacement mattress and other surfaces, including seating cushions and stretcher pads, provide a clinically sound and cost-effective pressure management system for a wide variety of patients, up to and including those at very high risk of developing pressure ulcers. The mattresses also reduce the need for dynamic systems that would otherwise be needed for these patients. In summary, the TEMPUR Med surfaces achieve the goals of cost-effective care, while enhancing patient care and comfort. Vanderwee, K., Grypdonck, M., and DeFloor, T. (2005). Effectiveness of an Alternating Pressure Air Mattress for the Prevention of Pressure Ulcers, Age and Aging, 1-7. In a study sponsored by Huntleigh Healthcare, an alternating pressure powered mattress manufactured by Huntleigh (APPM), without a turning protocol, was compared to the TEMPUR Med mattress (TPM), plus an every 4 hour turning schedule. The patient's risk status was defined using the Braden Risk Scale or by the presence of a Stage I. The data suggest that the TEMPUR mattress was statistically equivalent to the APPM, i.e., the number of patients developing a pressure ulcer was the same on both surfaces (~15% of the sample), but the APPM group developed more severe pressure ulcers than the TEMPUR Med group. In the APPM group, 76.5% of patients who developed a pressure ulcer, developed a Stage II, and 23.5% developed a Stage III or Stage IV. However, in the TEMPUR Med group, 94.3% of patients who developed a pressure ulcer developed a Stage II, while only 5.7% developed a Stage III or IV. Fewer patients developed a heel ulcer while on the APPM, but in both the APPM and TEMPUR Med groups, the heels were off-loaded by elevation, so it is likely that any heel ulcers that occurred were a result of another factor and not the mattresses themselves.