Study of skin–fabric interactions of relevance to decubitus: friction and contact‐pressure measurements

Gerhardt, LC Lutz-Christian; Mattle, N; Schrade, GU; Spencer, Nicholas D.; Derler, S.

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0846.2007.00264.x

Cited by 80 publications

(91 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Considering the respective normal forces during the rubbing process (approx. 15 N), the average apparent contact pressures were 3.4G0.5 kPa, which is close to the maximum interface pressures observed for supine persons (Defloor 2000;Gerhardt et al 2008).…”

Section: Contact Area Measurementssupporting

confidence: 77%

“…In the present study, the average variation coefficient of the measured COFs was 5.1%. This value was higher than the variation coefficients found in experiments, in which normal loads and sliding motions were machine controlled (Sivamani et al 2003b,c;Gerhardt et al 2008), but indicated a sufficient sensitivity and reliability of the 'direct touch' in vivo friction measurement method.…”

Section: Study Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 59%

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Influence of epidermal hydration on the friction of human skin against textiles

Gerhardt

Strässle

Lenz

et al. 2008

J. R. Soc. Interface.

281

244

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Friction and shear forces, as well as moisture between the human skin and textiles are critical factors in the formation of skin injuries such as blisters, abrasions and decubitus. This study investigated how epidermal hydration affects the friction between skin and textiles.The friction between the inner forearm and a hospital fabric was measured in the natural skin condition and in different hydration states using a force plate. Eleven males and eleven females rubbed their forearm against the textile on the force plate using defined normal loads and friction movements. Skin hydration and viscoelasticity were assessed by corneometry and the suction chamber method, respectively.In each individual, a highly positive linear correlation was found between skin moisture and friction coefficient (COF). No correlation was observed between moisture and elasticity, as well as between elasticity and friction. Skin viscoelasticity was comparable for women and men. The friction of female skin showed significantly higher moisture sensitivity. COFs increased typically by 43% (women) and 26% (men) when skin hydration varied between very dry and normally moist skin. The COFs between skin and completely wet fabric were more than twofold higher than the values for natural skin rubbed on a dry textile surface.Increasing skin hydration seems to cause gender-specific changes in the mechanical properties and/or surface topography of human skin, leading to skin softening and increased real contact area and adhesion.

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Section: Contact Area Measurementssupporting

confidence: 77%

Section: Study Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 59%

Influence of epidermal hydration on the friction of human skin against textiles

Gerhardt

Strässle

Lenz

et al. 2008

J. R. Soc. Interface.

281

244

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…26 This could also contribute in the prevention of the decubitus ulcers, as the creation of ulcers depends on the friction between skin and the bedsheet. 63 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In vivo confirmation of hydration-induced changes in human-skin thickness, roughness and interaction with the environment

Dąbrowska¹,

Adlhart

Spano

et al. 2016

Biointerphases

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The skin properties, structure, and performance can be influenced by many internal and external factors, such as age, gender, lifestyle, skin diseases, and a hydration level that can vary in relation to the environment. The aim of this work was to demonstrate the multifaceted influence of water on human skin through a combination of in vivo confocal Raman spectroscopy and images of volar–forearm skin captured with the laser scanning confocal microscopy. By means of this pilot study, the authors have both qualitatively and quantitatively studied the influence of changing the depth-dependent hydration level of the stratum corneum (SC) on the real contact area, surface roughness, and the dimensions of the primary lines and presented a new method for characterizing the contact area for different states of the skin. The hydration level of the skin and the thickness of the SC increased significantly due to uptake of moisture derived from liquid water or, to a much lesser extent, from humidity present in the environment. Hydrated skin was smoother and exhibited higher real contact area values. The highest rates of water uptake were observed for the upper few micrometers of skin and for short exposure times.

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“…The average normal load of all subjects was (14.6 AE 1.3) N, which reflects individual normal load variations ranging from 11 to 19 N. The mean dynamic skin friction coefficient (COF) obtained from at least 15 full friction cycles was calculated by the ratio of friction force and normal force, and used for further statistical analyses. Before the friction experiments, the apparent contact area between the skin and the force plate was determined using a pressure-sensitive film (19 (31).…”

Section: Study Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Skin–textile friction and skin elasticity in young and aged persons

Gerhardt¹,

Lenz²,

Spencer³

et al. 2009

Skin Research and Technology

Self Cite

110

109

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Background/purpose: The mechanical properties of human skin are known to change with ageing, rendering skin less resistant to friction and shear forces, as well as more vulnerable to wounds. Until now, only few and contradictory results on the age‐dependent friction properties of skin have been reported. This study has investigated in detail the influence of age on the friction of human skin against textiles. Methods: In vivo skin‐friction measurements on a force plate were combined with skin analyses concerning elasticity, hydration, pH value and sebum content. Thirty‐two young and 28 aged persons rubbed their volar forearm in a reciprocating motion against various textiles on the force plate, using defined normal loads and sliding velocities, representing clinically relevant contact conditions. Results: Mean friction coefficients ranged from 0.30 ± 0.04 (polytetrafluoroethylene) to 0.43 ± 0.04 (cotton/polyester). No significant differences in the friction properties of skin were found between the age groups despite skin elasticity being significantly lower in the aged persons. Skin hydration was significantly higher in the elderly, whereas no significant differences were observed in either skin pH value or sebum content. Conclusion: Adhesion is usually assumed to be the dominant factor in skin friction, but our observations imply that deformation is also an important factor in the friction of aged skin. In the elderly, lower skin elasticity and skin turgor are associated with more pronounced skin tissue displacements and greater shear forces during frictional contact, emphasizing the importance of friction reduction in wound‐prevention programmes.

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Study of skin–fabric interactions of relevance to decubitus: friction and contact‐pressure measurements

Abstract: TFA measurements allow the objective and reliable study of the tribology of the skin-textile biointerface and will be used to develop medical textiles with improved performance and greater efficacy for decubitus prevention.

Cited by 80 publications

References 54 publications

Influence of epidermal hydration on the friction of human skin against textiles

Influence of epidermal hydration on the friction of human skin against textiles

In vivo confirmation of hydration-induced changes in human-skin thickness, roughness and interaction with the environment

Skin–textile friction and skin elasticity in young and aged persons

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