Implementing Lift System for Early Mobilization

• Daily life activities[ Time Frame: 3 minutes ]
  The Barthel index scores daily life activities. The total score can range between 0 and 100 points, with each question score ranging from 0.5 to 10 points. The sub-topics covered include feeding, bathing, grooming, dressing, bowel care, bladder care, toilet use, transfer (bed to chair and back), mobility (on levelled surfaces) and stair climbing. Higher scores indicate improved independence of the patient

Objective:Immobilization causes various physiological and biomechanical problems during inpatient treatments.Physical therapy is applied to achieve early mobilization and avoid complication of immobilization. Aim:The aim of this study is to assess the contribution of using lift system to physical therapy program of immobilized patients. Design:A randomised controlled trial. Patients:Thirty hospitalized patients who were immobile more than 1 week were randomised into two groups. Interventions: Each group had received 15 sessions of physical therapy (ROM exercises and electrotherapy) regularly.Patients allocated to the add-on lift system were held in upright position with James lift® system during each physical therapy(PT).Patients allocated to PT program only were upgraded to a therapeutic goal of stability during standing phase as the patient's muscular strength improved.

• Other: Experimental
  Conventional physical therapy was administered to the control group and was aimed at achieving sitting balance in the first phase; once sitting balance could be achieved, we aimed at achieving standing balance in the second phase. Once standing balance was also achieved, supported and unsupported ambulation was commenced in the final phase.

• Experimental: Experimental group
  Experimental group, in which a physical therapy programme supplemented by the James lift system was applied
• Placebo Comparator: Control
  Control group, in which a conventional physical therapy programme was applied.