Abstract
Objective: This study examines body pressure and subjective comfort for four different mattresses (latex, memory foam, soft multi-hardness polyurethane and hard multi-hardness polyurethane mattress) in three different sleeping postures (back lying, left side lying and right side lying sleeping posture). Background: Mattress is very significant for satisfactory sleeping and well-being life. Many people are suffering from the sleep disorder these days. Not enough studies have been performed for the mattress especially for recently developed cutting-edge mattresses. Method: Thirty five participants evaluated the mattresses in the different sleeping postures. Mean body pressures and peak body pressures were measured and analyzed for the study and subjective comfort of the mattresses was also assessed by the participants. Results: Mean body pressure of each mattress was significantly different. Memory foam mattress and hard multi-hardness polyurethane mattress showed significantly lowest and highest mean body pressure in the back lying posture. In the other sleeping postures, similar results were also observed. Peak body pressure of memory foam mattress was significantly lower than other mattresses. The participants assessed hard multi-hardness polyurethane mattress was less comfort comparing to the other mattresses. Conclusion: Memory foam mattress produced lower mean body pressure and higher comfort regardless sleeping posture. The relationship between softness and quality of mattress would be explored in the future study. Hardness of mattress would be related to the mean body posture and subjective comfort. Application: The hardness of a mattress could be adjusted to improve the quality of mattresses. The results of the study can be applied to develop new mattresses as well.