lift system for early mobilization in immobilised patients

Each group had received 15 sessions of physical therapy (lower extremity hip flexion-extansion-abduction-adduction-internal rotation-external rotation, knee flexion-extansion and ankle flexion-extansion-inversion-eversion range of motion exercises and electrical stimulation on bilateral quadriceps muscles) regularly. The waveform of the electric stimulation is monophasic, the duration of the current is 150 ms, the frequency is 50 Hz, the modulation is rhythmic, and the amplitude is the contractional amplitude. The physical therapy sessions takes 45 minutes. A physiotherapist administered the intervention. Patients allocated to the add-on lift system were held in upright position with James lift® system during each physical therapy(PT).Patients allocated to PT program only were upgraded to a therapeutic goal of stability during standing phase as the patient’s muscular strength improved. The James 150 lift system is a hydraulic system made of steel pipes with a carrying capacity of 150 kg and is designed to keep the patients in an upright position. It is a hydraulic transport system with a short installation time, including an electric lift arm, 24-Volt motor, wired remote control, emergency button, mechanical emergency lowering, extensible undercarriage pedal, swivel castors and rear-wheel brakes. When a patient is required to be switched to the upright position, he/she is supported by Velcro sheaths in the thoracolumbar area, knees are locked with knee supports, feet are switched to the dorsiflex position using the foot pedal and the patient is brought to the upright position. During this time, the patient grips the lift handles with his/her hands for support. The patient is protected against falling during the lifting process by the brake-lock system.