SEAMLESS Human Factors Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Continuous Pressure Monitoring for Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment in the Community: a Human Factors Evaluation
IRAS ID
350350
Contact name
Peter Worsley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 30 days
Research summary
There are many situations where an individual will spend prolonged periods in their bed or chair, often observed in community settings where individuals may have impaired mobility. In many cases, individuals, carers and care providers are not alerted to periods of prolonged immobility. This results in poor self-management and limits access to care support to promote movement. A potential consequence of these prolonged periods of sitting or lying are pressure ulcers, often termed bed sores, which can develop into wounds which are painful and can take a long time to heal.
The applicants represent a team of scientists, clinicians, care providers and industry collaborators who have been working with technologies to monitor individuals whilst lying and sitting. Over the last seven years they have successfully used commercial continuous pressure monitors in community and hospital healthcare settings to evaluate movement patterns and bed sore risk over prolonged periods. Through monitoring pressures they have been able to effectively communicate when individuals have been less mobile or when someone needs a new mattress or cushion.
It is necessary to consider the user experiences (UX) of patients, carers and health and social care professionals when exploring the use of medical devices such as continuous pressure monitors. This study will explore the views of patients, carers and health and social care professionals who will be using the technology. We will provide training and manuals for the use of the continuous pressure monitor and work with nurses who already implement the technology in community settings (care homes, nursing home and private homes). During the study we will use interviews, surveys and the data from the continuous pressure monitoring device. We will use this information to improve how the technology is used and provide feedback to the manufacturer to improve future version of the device.REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EE/0166
Date of REC Opinion
26 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion