ABSTRACT
Individuals with normal skin sensation and enough strength to shift their body weights avoid pressure sores by frequent body movements. For those without normal sensation, it is desirable to develop pressure relief behaviors as a permanent habit. It is important to know the relation between the amplitude and duration of pressures applied to the skin that cause pressure sores. It is a challenge to develop pressure relief behavior as a permanent habit in paraplegic and tetraplegic patients. The first step is educating patients about pressure sores, factors governing them, and requirements for pressure relief. The second step is to train the individual to practice good hygiene, take precautions to reduce friction and shear, and perform acceptable pressure reliefs at the correct intervals. Monitoring devices can help rehabilitation professionals train and monitor their patients’ performance. People may behave differently when they know they are experimental subjects and being monitored.
