Physiotherapeutic Management of a Sitting Program for Subjects with Altered Consciousness: A Case Series

Abstract

Abstract Background/Objective: The verticalization of subjects with altered consciousness through a standing table or sitting generates improvements in their behavior, wakefulness, and level of consciousness. The objective of this study was to describe the physiotherapeutic management of a verticalization program for subjects with altered consciousness in acute and subacute stages.Methods Subjects with a diagnosis of altered consciousness and fluent in Spanish were included, while those with missing 20% of data were excluded. A sitting program was conducted for 30 minutes a day for 10 days, measuring the change in the level of consciousness using the Revised Coma Scale and monitoring adverse effects.Results Out of the eight subjects included in the study, seven exhibited improvements in their level of consciousness, with only one subject experiencing adverse effects during the sitting program. One subject was eliminated from the study due to incomplete data.Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive description of the physiotherapeutic management of a verticalization program for subjects with altered consciousness during the acute and subacute stages. The majority of included subjects demonstrated an improvement in their level of consciousness.