Effect of mattresses on the back and awareness of people on mattress related back pain

Salah Said                                                                        Supervisor: Simon Browning

Abstract

Back pain or other musculoskeletal dysfunction may be induced through furniture in the home. Traditionally, beds have been viewed as furniture. Poor sleep is caused by something as simple as where we sleep and what we sleep on (Zammet, 2003). The aim of this study is to find:

-          The possible effect of mattresses on patients with back pain.

-          The contribution of mattresses in causing back problems.

-          The most appropriate type of mattress for patients with back pain. 

-          The level of patient’s awareness of mattress related back pain. -          The willingness of patients to seek professional advice concerning the type of mattresses they should use.

The finding in this study should help and enable the osteopath to continue providing the appropriate advice and the best of care to the patients. 

The study is based on a questionnaire consisting of 25 questions covering most of the issues raised in this study. Attached to each questionnaire is a covering letter explaining the purpose of the study with assurance of total patient anonymity. The 100 participants needed for this study were patients attending the London School of Osteopathy outpatient clinic. There were 20 questionnaires excluded from the total number to make a final total of 80 questionnaires. The study is based on the assumption that mattresses used by patients are standard, spring-boxed mattresses.

The data analysis was undertaken by using standard non-parametric statistics registering significance at 5% (P = 0.05) and contingency test registering the significance at 3.84. The study concluded that the mattress may have been the cause of back pain with soft and medium firmness of mattress making the medium-hard mattress to remain the most appropriate mattress for back pain. The patient awareness of mattress related back pain was rated low and investing in a quality mattress after seeking professional advice was not their priority.