Dataset for PLOS Global Public Health
During large-scale disasters, such as the anticipated Nankai Trough Earthquake, evacuees often sleep on cold, hard floors in public facilities like school classrooms and gymnasiums. This uncomfortable environment frequently leads to musculoskeletal pain and sleep disturbances. Although cardboard beds were used after the Great East Japan Earthquake, their stockpiling is not mandated, leaving emergency bedding supplies uncertain. Instead, municipalities stockpile plastic sheets in evacuation shelters in accordance with guidelines. However, these sheets are designed for stacking relief supplies—not for use as bedding—resulting in insufficient thermal insulation and inadequate body pressure dispersion. This study evaluated whether air cushions could serve as an effective alternative bedding solution. Air cushions are lightweight, cost-effective, and compact, and they may better alleviate concentrated body pressure and provide effective thermal insulation. A randomized controlled crossover trial was conducted with 20 healthy adults (aged 18–59). Each participant tested three surfaces—the air cushion, a urethane pad, and a plastic sheet—while lying in supine and lateral positions. Objective assessments included measurements of mean body pressure and contact contour area, while subjective evaluations of firmness and comfort were obtained via a numeric rating scale. Additionally, thermal insulation was assessed by recording surface temperature changes after a 10-minute contact with an ice pack (~0°C). Results showed that the air cushion reduced average body pressure by over 20% and increased contact area by more than 30% compared to the plastic sheet, outperforming the urethane pad. Participants also rated the air cushion as significantly more comfortable. The air cushion’s surface temperature remained comparable to that of the urethane pad, indicating adequate insulation. These findings suggest that air cushions are a promising alternative bedding option in evacuation shelters.
