The Immobilized Patient and His Psychologic Well-Being

Abstract

Physicians have come to realize the importance of treating not only an immobilized patient's physical illness but also the harmful psychologic effects resulting from prolonged immobilization and sensory deprivation. The patient's preconceived feelings about hospitalization, his attitude toward the hospital staff and toward his illness, separation from his family, his state of immobilization, and restriction of his sensory input often result in negative psychologic reactions that can markedly complicate an already serious physical problem.