Measurement of user experience to select a comfortable mattress

Abstract

This study was designed to develop a methodology measuring the user experience with mattress both in the past and showroom, and to eventually recommend a healthy and comfortable mattress for individual user. Five mattresses with different hardness were used to find the most compatible mattress with individual subject's physical and psychological condition. User experience such as lying on the mattress in showroom was analyzed by quantitatively measuring Electromyography of low back muscle, heart rate change, and oxygen saturation level. In addition, the whole body pressure distribution was measured to examine the dermal discomfort. A questionnaire was used to record the past personal experience and preference on mattress. A selection rule with the finally chosen four independent variables and mathematical scale was developed to find the best mattress for individual. Furthermore, a regression analysis was performed to predict the level of muscle relaxation in order to have the least measuring process in the showroom. The Body-Mattress Compatibility Score (BMCS) indicating the proper level of hardness was computed in this study and compared with subjective satisfaction score for validation, and it was found that ten out of twenty subjects showed the same score, and other ten subjects showed only one score difference. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.