Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of pillow materials and hardness on the pressure distribution around the head and neck in the supine position. Method: Participants were 8 healthy men (33.1 ± 3.8 years). A pillow was placed on a bed with a mattress, and a sheet-type pressure distribution-measuring device was placed above it. Four types of pillows were used, in descending order of softness: polyester pillow (PEst), polyurethane water pillow (PUW), low-resilience elastic urethane pillow (LEU), and polyethylene pillow (PEth). Measurements were performed under five conditions, with the additional control condition of no pillow (None). Participants lay supine on the measuring device, and the pressure distribution throughout the body was recorded while they were relaxed. From the pressure distribution records, the contact area (%) and the load (%) of the head and neck relative to the entire body were calculated. Differences in pressure distribution due to the type of pillows were examined using one-way repeated-measures ANOVA and using multiple comparison tests with the Bonferroni method. Results: The contact area and load of the head and neck with respect to the entire body in None group were significantly smaller than under all pillow conditions. PEth group showed significantly lower area values than the PUW and LEU groups. Among the conditions in which a pillow was used, PEst group showed significantly lower load values than PUW, LEU, and PEth groups. Conclusion: This study suggested that the distribution of body pressure on the head and neck in the supine position appears to depend on the pillow material and hardness and polyurethane water pillow and low-resilience elastic urethane pillow are able to support the weight of the head and neck over a wide area, reducing strain on the neck and shoulders.
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