Developing a nursing intervention for patients who suffer from disuse syndrome following prolonged bedrest to enable them to sit without trunk support

Abstract

Miyata is working closely with researchers from the Hokkaido University of Science and the University of Tsukuba, Japan, including Professors Yuko Hayashi, Kikue Hidaka and Kaoru Fukura, as well as Associate Professor Junko Ouchi. The techniques outlined by Miyata and her team are classified into three broad concepts. These are, maintaining the physical environment, unravelling the contracted body and reacquisition of living behaviour. Within each concept the faculty members, all of whom are nurses, perform research and teach the technique involved. They have become experts in techniques which may seem simple, such as sitting and implementing a movement programme. "However, sitting in a patient with severe disuse syndrome poses risks of fractures, rupture of fractures, changes in circulatory dynamics and therefore expert skills are necessary," she points out. Another revelation coming out of this work is the value of a greater emphasis on nutrition. "It is important to prevent the creation of bodies that can't sit," says Miyata. "Therefore, we decided to conduct research to clarify muscle and nutritional status of patients with disuse syndrome." The idea being that good nutrition during the time in which one is confined to limited movement would prevent a lot of muscle deterioration, and then when the time comes to begin movement again, the necessary energy and strength would still be available.