Comparative Study of Risk Factors for Skin Breakdow With Cervical Orthotic Devices

PURPOSE: To compare risk factors for skin breakdown between Philadelphia and Aspen cervical collars. METHODS: Crossover design. Twenty healthy volunteers wore Philadelphia and Aspen cervical collars in random order. Occipital pressure, relative skin humidity, and skin temperature measured at 0 and 30 minutes. Paired t-tests compared changes between collars from 0 to 30 minutes. FINDINGS: Occipital pressure and skin temperature were not statistically different between collars. Relative skin humidity increased more in Philadelphia (29% +/- 17%) than Aspen (8% +/- 9%), p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Aspen resulted in lower relative skin humidity.