title: Positioning and handling: important considerations in the care of the severely head-injured patient.
abstract: Control of abnormal posturing is a challenge in the care of severely head-injured adults and must be a component of care in both critical care and acute rehabilitation stages of recovery. Severe head injury is indicated by a Glasgow Coma Scale rating of eight or less for at least six hours post-injury. Long-term disabilities are common among survivors, mostly men under 40 years of age. This paper examines the pathophysiology of abnormal posturing and positioning and handling techniques to prevent and/or control abnormal motor activity. The effect of positioning on intracranial pressure is also discussed.
mesh_terms: D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000451:nursing*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D007427:Intracranial Pressure; D009127:Muscle Rigidity / Q000451:nursing; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000451:nursing; D011187:Posture