MedGenMed. 2000 Sep; (): E36.

Short-term outcomes of chronic back pain patients on an airbed vs innerspring mattresses.

Monsein M, Corbin TP, Culliton PD, Merz D, Schuck EA.

Sister Kenny Institute Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To compare SF-36, pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and sleep VAS outcomes of an adjustable airbed with innerspring mattresses in a population of chronic back pain sufferers. STUDY DESIGN: A-B-A trial, in 3 phases: the patients on their own bed for 1 night, on an adjustable airbed for 28 nights, and on their bed for 14 nights. SETTING: Outpatient pain rehabilitation, physical therapy, and alternative medicine clinics. PATIENTS: Three centers recruited 30 patients each with severe chronic back pain and without sleep apnea or other sleep disorders. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SF-36 health status survey and VAS pain and sleep quality scales. RESULTS: On VAS scales, 95% showed pain improvement, and 88% reported better sleep. The average improvements were a 32% pain decrease and a 73% increase in sleep quality, significant at P less than.001 (two-tail t test). Eighty percent improved on the SF-36 physical functioning dimension and 88% improved on the bodily pain dimension. The average score on each dimension improved (P less than.001). Eighty-five percent preferred the adjustable airbed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: SF-36 and VAS outcomes measures showed a highly significant benefit for the airbed design in this short-term comparison. The airbed appears to be a useful sleep aid and an adjunct to medical and physical therapies for chronic back pain sufferers.