The use of water-filled gloves to prevent the formation of decubitis ulcers on heels.

Water-filled gloves are used regularly to prevent pressure sore development on patients' heels. The efficacy of such flotation therapy is dependent on achieving the correct therapeutic pressure, but water-filled gloves tend to be applied haphazardly. A small-scale study measured pressure on the heels of three volunteers of varying weights, using three sizes of gloves filled with varying amounts of water. Results showed that water-filled gloves provide a degree of pressure relief, but insufficient to prevent occlusion. The study did not demonstrate any easily recognisable pattern for assessing the correct volume of water relative to the weight of the patient and the size of the glove.