Effect of Wiping Pressure on Body Hygiene of Bed Bath with a Wet Washcloth

Introduction: Dirt on the skin can be removed by friction, and the properties of wiping materials and wiping pressure are related to the friction coefficient of the skin. In the current study, we examined the possible relationships between wiping pressure and skin hygiene. Materials and Methods: The study subject was one healthy female in her twenties. The wiping pressure was measured using a pressure-sensitive film sheet attached to the skin. An adenosine triphosphate hygiene monitoring test was conducted as an indicator of skin hygiene, which was measured as the level of relative light units (RLU). We conducted an experiment 10 times on the left and right lower legs. A correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between RLU level and wiping pressure. Results: No significant correlation was found between the reduction in RLU level by bed bathing and wiping pressure (r = −0.04; P = 0.79). Conclusion: The current findings did not indicate a clear relationship between wiping pressure and removing dirt from the skin during a bed bath. These results suggest the possibility that dirt can be removed and hygiene can be maintained regardless of the wiping pressure.