Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026
Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication
Published on: December 11, 2013
A prospective, randomized, controlled study of a suspension positioning system used with elderly bedridden patients
Mei-Yin Su1, Shi-Quan Lin2, Ye-Wen zhou
1Mindong Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Ningde, China;
Insights
A novel suspension positioning system (SPS) significantly reduced complications like skin breakdown and infections in elderly patients with fecal incontinence (FI) due to neurological impairment, improving their quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Nursing Care
Background:
- Elderly patients with acute neurological impairment often experience fecal incontinence (FI), leading to severe disability and complications.
- Current management for FI in immobilized patients lacks specialized systems, potentially increasing morbidity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a suspension positioning system (SPS) for managing fecal incontinence in elderly, neurologically impaired, bedridden patients.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized controlled study involving 200 elderly, bedridden patients with acute neurological impairment.
- Patients were assigned to either routine FI care (control) or routine care plus the SPS (experimental) during daytime hours.
Main Results:
- The SPS group showed significantly lower rates of perianal fecal contamination, skin breakdown, incontinence-associated dermatitis, pressure ulcers, and lower urinary tract infections (LUTI).
- Hospitalization length and care costs were reduced in the SPS group.
- Patient quality-of-life (QoL) and FI QoL scores were significantly higher at 6-month follow-up in the SPS group.
Conclusions:
- The suspension positioning system (SPS) is effective and safe for managing fecal incontinence in elderly, neurologically impaired patients.
- SPS use leads to reduced FI-associated morbidities and improved patient quality of life.
- Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects of SPS in this patient population.
Abstract:
Elderly patients with acute neurological impairment are prone to severe disability, fecal incontinence (FI), and resultant complications. A suspension positioning system (SPS), based on the orthopedic suspension traction system commonly used for conservative treatment of pediatric femoral fracture and uncomplicated adult pelvic fracture, was developed to facilitate FI management in patients immobilized secondary to an acute neurological condition. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the system, a prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted between October 2009 and July 2012. Two hundred (200) elderly, bedridden, hospitalized patients with acute, nonchronic neurological impairment were randomly assigned to receive routine FI nursing care (ie, individualized dietary modification, psychological support, health education, and social support for caregivers and family members [control group]) or routine incontinence care plus the SPS (experimental group) during the day. Rates of perianal fecal contamination, skin breakdown, incontinence associated dermatitis, pressure ulcer development, and lower urinary tract infection (LUTI) were significantly lower in the SPS than in the control group (P <0.05). Length of hospitalization and costs of care were also lower in the SPS group (P <0.05). Patient quality-of-life (QoL) and FI QoL scores were similar at baseline but significantly higher (better) at the 6-month follow-up interview in the SPS than in the control group (P <0.05). In this study, the rate of FI-associated morbidities was lower and 6-month patient QoL scores were higher in the SPS than in the control group. No adverse events were observed, and all patients completed the study. Further clinical studies are needed to examine the long-term effects of SPS use among neurologically impaired FI patients.