Positions of Ease

• Positions of Ease:

  • The positioning of a patient in order to utilise the therapeutic benefits of specific relaxed positions
  • Used in conjunction with breathing control
• Positions of Ease:

  • Leaning forward in standing or sitting moves abdominal contents so the anterior portion of the diaphragm is raised
  • Optimises length tension status of diaphragm
  • Useful for patients with shortened diaphragms (hyperinflated)
  • May facilitate diaphragmatic contraction during inspiration & reduce the work of breathing
• Positions of Ease:

  • Same effect may be gained by positioning a patient in side lying or high side lying where the curvature of the dependent (lower) part of the diaphragm is increased facilitating contraction during inspiration
• Positions of Ease:

  • Try to decrease the oxygen cost of breathing
  • Allow fixing of shoulder girdle but in a way that uses less energy expenditure - stop fixing arms on chair - let them bend elbow on their legs or on table
  • If a patient knows which position works best for them, use their knowledge but optimise the position
  • Always monitor the effects of any position change – what might you measure? - measure respiratory rate, patients comfort