Comparison 1. Alternating pressure (active) air surfaces compared with reactive foam surfaces.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1.1 Proportion of participants developing a new pressure ulcer	4	2247	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.63 [0.34, 1.17]
1.2 Time to pressure ulcer development	2		Hazard Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.41 [0.10, 1.64]
1.3 Health‐related quality of life	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.3.1 90‐day EQ‐5D‐5L	1	267	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.00 [‐0.05, 0.05]
1.3.2 90‐day PU‐QoL‐UI	1	233	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.00 [‐0.03, 0.03]