title: Effects of positioning on respiratory measures in individuals with cerebral palsy and severe scoliosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of positioning on respiratory measurements in individuals with cerebral palsy and severe scoliosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five individuals aged 17 to 37 years participated in an alternating treatment, single-subject design. Oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, heart rate, and chest wall excursion measurements were obtained in supine, sitting, and sidelying positions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Level of support for hypotheses varied on the basis of the respiratory measurement and participants' status. Respiratory rate appeared to be most sensitive to change in the positions. Severity of respiratory compromise and age may be associated with less tolerance for supine position versus sitting and sidelying positions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of therapeutic positioning in sitting and sidelying positions should be considered as a noninvasive intervention for a population with respiratory compromise. Further research with a larger sample is needed to empirically link specific positions with improved respiratory efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, Michigan, USA. SheilaRob@aol.com
authors.forename: Sheila Robertson
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Littleton
authors.forename: Carolyn B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Heriza
authors.forename: Pamela A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Mullens
authors.forename: Victoria A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Moerchen
authors.forename: Kristie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bjornson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010092:Oximetry; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011187:Posture; D011446:Prospective Studies; D056152:Respiratory Rate; D012137:Respiratory System; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult