What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality? Review of the literature

Energy spent during daily activities is recuperated by humans through sleep, ensuring optimal performance on the following day. Sleep disturbances are common: a meta-analysis on sleep quality showed that 15–30% of adults report sleep disorders, such as sleep onset latency (SOL), insufficient duration of sleep and frequently waking up at night. Low back pain (LBP) has been identified as one of the main causes of poor sleep quality. Literature findings are discordant on the type of mattress that might prevent onset of back pain, resulting in an improved quality of sleep. We conducted a systematic literature review of articles published until 2019, investigating the association of different mattresses with sleep quality and low back pain. Based on examined studies, mattresses were classified according to the European Committee for Standardization (2000) as: soft, medium-firm, extra-firm or mattresses customized for patients affected by supine decubitus. A total of 39 qualified articles have been included in the current systematic review. Results of this systematic review show that a medium-firm mattress promotes comfort, sleep quality and rachis alignment

Sleeping mattress determinants and evaluation: a biomechanical review and critique

Background Sleeping mattress parameters significantly influence sleeping comfort and health, as reflected by the extensive investigations of sleeping support biomechanics to prevent sleep-related musculoskeletal problems. Methodology Herein, we review the current trends, research methodologies, and determinants of mattress biomechanics research, summarizing evidence published since 2008. In particular, we scrutinize 18 articles dealing with the development of new designs, recommendation criteria, instruments/methods of spine alignment evaluation, and comparative evaluation of different designs. Results The review demonstrated that mattress designs have strived for customization, regional features, and real-time active control to adapt to the biomechanical features of different body builds and postures. However, the suggested threshold or target values for desirable spine alignment and body pressure distribution during sleep cannot yet be justified in view of the lack of sufficient evidence. Conclusions It is necessary to formulate standard objectives and protocols for carrying out mattress evaluation

Scientific Advances in STEM

Following a previous topic (Scientific advances in STEM: from professors to students; https://www.mdpi.com/topics/advances_stem), this new topic aims to highlight the importance of establishing collaborations among research groups from different disciplines, combining the scientific knowledge from basic to applied research as well as taking advantage of different research facilities. Fundamental science helps us to understand phenomenological basics, while applied science focuses on products and technology developments, highlighting the need to perform a transference of knowledge to society and the industrial sector

IX Malta Medical School Conference

Abstracts of papers presented at the 9th Malta Medical School Conference held at the Hilton Malta Hotel, Portomaso, St. Julians between 3rd and 5th December 2015.peer-reviewe