Evidence for 24-hour posture management: A scoping review.
Lauren Julia Osborne, Rosemary Joan Gowran, Jackie Casey
PMID 40337627WHAT IT FOUND
The evidence base for 24-hour posture management is weak, with no randomised trials.
However, the literature consistently supports its use to prevent body shape distortion and secondary health complications in people who cannot move independently.
Key findings
01No randomised controlled trials were found, and the available research is generally of low quality.
0224-hour posture management is reported to prevent secondary complications such as tissue damage, contractures, pain, and constipation.
03Current service provision is described as a 'postcode lottery' with fragmented funding and a lack of coordinated care across sitting, lying, and standing.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The evidence base is very weak, with no randomised controlled trials. The review excluded a large body of literature on standing programmes, particularly from physiotherapy. It did not analyse the complexity of postural supports (e.g., simple pillows vs. custom moulds). The perspective of the person using the equipment was not explored in the included literature. There is potential bias in the source literature due to manufacturer sponsorship of some studies.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. However, the research was conducted as part of an MSc funded by Millbrook Healthcare, a provider of healthcare equipment and services.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the lack of randomised controlled trials as evidence that 24-hour posture management is ineffective. The authors argue that withholding these interventions would be unethical given the known harms of immobility, and that the weak evidence reflects the difficulty of researching this population rather than a lack of clinical benefit.