bed mobility lab

Body Mechanics Principles

PLAN the activity; remain close to object; use strongest muscles; maintain wide BOS; use short lever arm; avoid twisting/flexing trunk; keep your COG close to object’s COG; push/pull/roll/slide instead of lifting to conserve energy

Deep Squat Lift

Deep squat with hips below knees; feet straddle object with wide BOS; trunk vertical with normal lumbar lordosis; lift with legs

Power Lift

Half squat with hips above knees; feet parallel behind object; trunk vertical with normal lumbar lordosis; lift with legs

Straight Leg Lift

Knees slightly flexed; object close to body; feel parallel or A-P; trunk vertical or horizontal; maintain normal lumbar lordosis

Golfer’s Lift (One-Leg Stance)

Anterior-posterior stance; weight on forward leg, hip/knee flexed; non-weight-bearing leg as counterbalance

Half-Kneeling Lift

Kneel on one knee behind object, other leg flexed beside object; lift object onto thigh; pull close; push up to standing; maintain lumbar lordosis

Traditional Lift

Deep squat; feet one anterior, one posterior; UEs lift object close, then LEs continue lift; maintain lumbar lordosis

Stoop Lift

Hips/knees partially flexed; feet shoulder-width, 1 anterior, 1 posterior; stoop instead of squat; maintain lumbar lordosis

Push/Pull Techniques

Semi-squat with wide BOS; apply force parallel to floor; more effort initially to overcome inertia

Bed Mobility – Side to Side (Supine) Dep/Assisted

Forearms at neck/upper back & middle back, lower trunk & pelvis, lower thighs & lower legs; slide/pull draw sheet; decrease effort with low COG & wide BOS

Bed Mobility – Side to Side (Supine) Indep

Hips/knees flexed, feet flat; one UE at side, other UE ABD; lift pelvis and move to side

Bed Mobility – Upward (Supine) Dep

2-person draw sheet; coordinate lift; lift patient upward on sheet

Bed Mobility – Upward (Supine) Assisted/Indep

Patient flexes hips/knees; feet flat, elbows flexed; bridge using LEs and push with elbows; assist by supporting head & upper trunk; slide up 6-10 inches; repeat as needed

Bed Mobility – Downward (Supine) Dep

2-person draw sheet; coordinate effort; move patient down in bed

Bed Mobility – Downward (Supine) Assisted

HOB raised; partially flex hips/knees; cradle and lift pelvis, slide downward 6-10 inches; repeat as needed

Bed Mobility – Downward (Supine) Indep

UEs at side with elbows flexed; hips/knees flexed; heels 8-12 inches from buttocks; elevate trunk/pelvis; slide down using LEs & elbows

Supine to Side-Lying Dep/Assisted

Move patient to far edge of bed; cross LEs; LUE on chest, RUE horizontal ABD; roll patient toward you with hand on L posterior scapula & pelvis

Supine to Side-Lying Indep

Cross LLE over RLE, reach across chest; head flex, abdominals contract; may push with LUE/LLE; roll to side

Supine to Prone Dep/Assisted

Move patient to EOB; supine to side-lying; UE close along side; PT hands on posterior shoulder & pelvis to roll to side; reposition hands to anterior shoulder/pelvis to lower into prone

Supine to Prone Indep

Supine to side-lying as above; continue rolling into prone

Prone to Supine Dep/Assisted

Move patient to EOB; cross LLE over RLE; RUE close to side; PT stand on FAR side, hands on anterior shoulder & pelvis; roll to side-lying; reposition hands to posterior shoulder & pelvis to lower to supine

Prone to Supine Indep

Move to EOB; RUE to side/flexed to ear; L hand on mat; LLE flexed/extended; push with LUE & LLE, lift LLE over RLE; move to side-lying then continue to supine

Supine to Sit Dep/Assisted

Move patient near EOB, side-lying with LEs flexed; elevate trunk by lifting under shoulders (patient can push with UEs); pivot LEs over EOB

Supine to Sit Indep

Move patient near EOB; hand on mat mid-chest; push to raise trunk, prop on elbow; continue upright using BUEs; LEs pivot over EOB

Sit to Supine Dep/Assisted

Reverse of supine to sit; lift LEs with overhand reach, lower trunk to surface; patient to side-lying at EOB, then supine

Sit to Supine Indep

Reverse of supine to sit

Supine to Sit Alternative

Supine near EOB; HOB at 45° or flat; use mattress/rail to assist supine to sit; pivot LEs over EOB; reverse for sit to supine