The Safe and Comfortable Positioning While Sitting and Sleeping After Stroke

Nov 29, 2022

In the early stages after stroke, proper sleeping and sitting posture can help patients prevent complications such as spasms and muscle contracture and maintain normal joint position. Especially when the patient lie in bed, a comfortable and safe position is more important; lying on unaffected side is recommended, reduce lying on back. Here’s the guidelines for stroke survivors and families from Stroke Foundation New Zealand to learn the safe and comfortable postures while sleeping and sitting.

Lying in bed：Using pillows to support the patient’s upper and lower limbs

Lying on unaffected side

·One pillow for head

·Shoulder and pelvic girdle forward

·Head and trunk straight

·Arm and leg relaxed forward onto pillows

·Pillow behind back

Lying on affected side

·Ease affected shoulder blade forward

·Affected leg flexed forward

·Arm resting on the bed, palm upwards

Lying in bed

·Affected arm supported by pillow

Image source: STROKE FOUNDATION NZ

Sitting: Using pillows to support the affected side

·Back supported by chair

·Affected arm supported on adjustable base

·Equal weight through buttocks

·Feet flat on floor

Image source: STROKE FOUNDATION NZ

Suitable training for stroke patients with hand dysfunction in super-early stage

In the early rehabilitation process, besides attention to posture, passive training can be involved to prevent unused muscles from atrophying. With the help of an external force, the patient’s affected hands should be gently moved, sending the signals of movement to the brain from muscles and skin, activating the motor nerves of the brain.

Combined with soft robotic exoskeleton technology and neuroscience, SYREBO® soft robotic hand rehabilitation glove including passive training mode can drive the affected hand to execute flexion and extension exercises, helping patients relearn and recover hand motor functions. With its easy-to-use, flexibility & accessibility, SYREBO® robotic hand glove has become many patients’ home rehabilitation choice. Integrated active and passive training, soft robotic glove can help patients accelerate recovery and restore self-reliance ability.