Activity-sitting up (U23)

Whole-task training is set up so the patient can practice sitting up from supine with feedback and/or manual guidance from the therapist if necessary. Training is structured so that flexibility of performance is encouraged, ie, the cognitive and/or physical demands of the activity are increased.

Equipment:

• Adjustable height plinth
• Pillow

Key Points:

• Patient is positioned in supine with the intact side close to the side of the bed
• Patient flexes hips and knees and lifts the legs over the side of the bed while side flexing at the trunk to sit upright
• Patient pushes through the lowermost (ie, intact) arm to assist movement
• Therapist is positioned to the side of the patient and provides manual guidance at the trunk and legs if necessary

Common Errors:

• Therapist fails to adjust initial bed height to ensure safety of patient and therapist during manual guidance
• Therapist fails to remain close enough to steady the patient in sitting, if required
• Therapist fails to adjust final bed height to allow patient to load the legs in sitting
• Patient pauses during movement

Progression and Variety:

• Decrease/remove manual guidance
• Add bed clothes
• Use regular bed