AIM:
To train supine to sitting
Rationale:
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