The effects of uncoated paper on skin moisture and transepidermal water loss in bedridden patients

Aims and objectives. The aims of this study were to measure skin moisture and transepidermal water loss after application of uncoated paper and to compare skin moisture and transepidermal water loss after use of uncoated paper and disposable underpads. Study design. The study was a cross‐over, prospective, open‐labeled, randomized trial. Sample and setting. Bedridden patients aged ≥18 years at a medical center in Korea were included. Treatment order was randomly assigned using block randomization, with a block size of 4 and an assignment rate of one‐by‐one. Methods. Skin moisture was measured using a Corneometer 825 and transepidermal water loss was measured using a Tewameter 300. Results. Skin moisture after application of an uncoated paper was significantly lower than observed after application of a disposable underpad (mean 40·6 and SD 13·1 vs. mean 64·6 and SD 23·7, p