Cerebral Palsy and Seating

Properly designed and fitted cerebral palsy and seating systems can provide crucial support and alignment for the body, helping to alleviate pain, prevent the development of harmful spinal curvatures and joint contractures, and facilitate improved respiratory function and digestion.

Specialised cushions, back support, and positioning devices work in tandem to maintain the user in an optimal upright or reclined position, minimising pressure on sensitive areas and encouraging proper weight distribution. This, in turn, can boost an individual's ability to engage in everyday activities, from eating and communicating to participating in educational or recreational pursuits. Beyond the physical advantages, therapeutic seating has also been shown to have a profoundly positive impact on one's mental wellbeing, fostering a greater sense of independence, confidence, and overall quality of life.

A variety of therapeutic chairs from Seating Matters can be adjusted to meet evolving needs. With its tilt-in-space feature and postural support, the Sorrento 2 chair is an ideal solution for cerebral palsy and seating needs, helping people with cerebral palsy reduce their risk of pressure injuries. Its anterior tilt helps the patient with transfers during remission and rehabilitation. The use of the handset enables the user to freely regulate the chair's movement, fostering independence and dignity. The Phoenix 2 chair provides additional support to fulfil the seating and postural needs of an individual with more complex postural needs related to cerebral palsy and seating challenges.

Seating Considerations for cerebral palsy and seating:

Seat width: Ensure correct seat width of chair to stabilise the pelvis and prevent pelvic rotation and lateral leaning. Correct seat width will increase feelings of security, safety and comfort.

Seat depth: Seat depth must be adjusted to suit the patient to adequately load the whole lower limb. This will prevent posterior pelvic tilt and pressure injuries.

Foot support: The patient’s feet should be sufficiently loaded in the footplate to reduce risk of pressure injuries, increase comfort and prevent/prevent worsening of foot drop.

Cushion: The cushions should be pressure relieving to reduce the risk of developing pressure injuries due to pressure or shear. Patients can suffer with incontinence so cushions should be waterproof and machine washable to clean easily and reduce infection risk.

Motorised/manual: Consider the patient’s need for motorized control to maintain the person’s independence and facilitate effective repositioning for the patient and carer, particularly in cases of cerebral palsy and seating.

Tilt in space: Tilt in space function works by tilting the whole chair and maintaining the angles at the hips, knees and ankles. This facilitates frequent redistribution of weight and pressure which reduces the patient’s risk of developing pressure injuries and reduces discomfort associated with cerebral palsy and seating.

Lateral supports: Lateral supports accommodate/correct postural deviations and help achieve and upright sitting position. A lateral back cushion can provide effective trunk support. An upright sitting posture is important for physiological functions, such as breathing and swallowing, for psychological benefits and for engaging in everyday functions, such as reading, or activities. Assess the patient’s ability to sit unsupported and their level of postural support required.

Transfers: Consider the patient’s method of transferring in and out of the chair. Depending on the patients level of mobility, you may need to accommodate an independent transfer, transfers with assistance of a carer, a sit to stand hoist, a Sara Stedy, or a full hoist.

For those living with the challenges of cerebral palsy, access to high-quality postural support equipment can truly be a life-changing intervention, empowering them to live, learn, and thrive to their fullest potential.

Seating matters understands that it is more than just a chair. Our chairs are designed with the patient and carer in mind, providing comprehensive solutions for cerebral palsy and seating.

References

1. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2024) ‘Cerebral Palsy’ [online], available: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/heal...;

1. Sato H. Postural deformity in children with cerebral palsy: Why it occurs and how is it managed. Phys Ther Res. 2020 Jun 20;23(1):8-14. doi: 10.1298/ptr.R0008. PMID: 32850273; PMCID: PMC7344367.

1. Sato H. Postural deformity in children with cerebral palsy: Why it occurs and how is it managed. Phys Ther Res. 2020 Jun 20;23(1):8-14. doi: 10.1298/ptr.R0008. PMID: 32850273; PMCID: PMC7344367.