Facilitating the sit-to-stand transfer: a review

Abstract

The ability to transfer weight from a seated position to one of standing is a common activity of daily living. However, many older and/or disabled people have difficulty rising from a chair. As rising is a precursor to gait, finding ways by which the process of rising from a chair can be facilitated, such as providing arm rests, raising seat height, and/or using mechanical ejector devices, is very important. This review examines the efficacy of each of these aids in terms of facilitating sit-to-stand transfers performed by older and/or disabled individuals. It was concluded that regardless of seat height or use of a mechanical ejector device, all chairs prescribed for older and/or disabled individuals should have arm rests which can be used to assist body propulsion and balance when rising, and all users must be trained in correct use of a chair's features.

Keywords:

• ARM RESTS
• CHAIR HEIGHT
• EJECTOR CHAIR
• ELDERLY
• SIT-TO-STAND