Postural support in lying: practice considerations. Stages 2 and 3

Postural support in lying plays a role in 24-hour postural management programmes along with supported sitting and standing. It is provided primarily at night with commercially manufactured whole body systems for children and adults with conditions involving spasticity or weakness, who may otherwise adopt postures that are unstable and asymmetrical. These asymmetrical postures may in turn lead to pain and discomfort and progressive fixed deformities. The equipment may also be used for periods of supported lying during the day.

Therapists are routinely prescribing this equipment, and service users are increasingly demanding it, although provision by service providers is patchy (DFES 2007 - Aiming high for disabled children: better support for families. HM Treasury). A practice considerations guide is thought to be required to facilitate getting research into practice, using transferable messages that have been created from the literature and from current expert national and international opinion.