Stroke Training and Awareness Resources (STARs)

Examples of poor and improved positioning in a chair:

Poor positioning

Mr McTavish has a left-sided hemiplegia and is unable to maintain a good sitting position in his chair due to lack of support.

side-on view of patient sitting in chair with bullets labelled: 1 to 6
frontal view of patient sitting in chair with bullet points labelled 1 to 6

Specific points to note:

  1. Hips – not central and too far forward in chair
  2. Trunk – side flexed to the right
  3. Head – orientated to the right with eye/gaze deviation to the right
  4. Right upper limb – required to help patient maintain his balance
  5. Left upper limb – increased tone
  6. Left lower limb – increased extensor tone

Page last reviewed: 25 Feb 2021