Early Mobilisation: Key to Better Patient Outcomes

Mobilising as soon as it is medically safe after critical illness or surgical intervention has been shown to significantly improve long-term recovery. Physical inactivity, to the extreme of being confined to bed, is a key factor in contributing to the onset of functional decline.1 This deconditioning can affect many systems in the body, leading to impairments in both mental and physical functioning.2  Encouraging early mobilisation supports overall health and wellbeing, facilitates timely discharge, and reduces the risk of hospital re-admission.

How CareFlex Specialist Seating Can Facilitate Early Mobilisation

Specialist seating plays a vital role in enabling individuals to spend less time confined to bed. By supporting posture and providing the necessary stability, CareFlex chairs allow individuals to sit out safely and comfortably – empowering earlier mobilisation and improving recovery outcomes.

  1. Minimising Time Spent in Bed: Prolonged bed rest can lead to significant secondary complications, including increased risk of infection, falls, blood clots, and pressure injuries.3 Our seating solutions offer an effective solution to reduce the time spent lying down by enabling individuals to sit in a secure, comfortable position. This supports the prevention of immobility-related harm and facilitates gradual, safe re-engagement in movement and activity.
  2. Preventing Functional Decline: Even a single day of bed rest can trigger deconditioning. Muscle performance may decline by up to 16% within just five days of immobility.4 Providing the opportunity to sit upright in a well-supported position early in recovery is essential for preserving muscle strength and functional ability.
  3. Supporting Independence and Engagement: Specialist seating designed for optimal postural support allows individuals to sit out with confidence and comfort. This encourages greater independence, participation in daily activities, and improved physical function – key components of long-term health and recovery.
  4. Enhancing Psychological Wellbeing: Sitting out, rather than remaining in bed, can have a significant impact on emotional health. Appropriate seating helps maintain dignity, autonomy, and a sense of normalcy – factors that boost morale and promote active participation in rehabilitation.
  5. Promoting Optimum Recovery: Postural care that supports both the body and mind is closely linked to improved recovery outcomes. Specialist seating enables individuals to engage more fully with their surroundings, caregivers, and loved ones – contributing to a more holistic, person-centred rehabilitation journey.

Reducing Healthcare Costs Through Early Mobilisation

Delayed mobilisation is associated with an increased risk of complications such as muscle atrophy, skin breakdown, and hospital-acquired infections – all of which can prolong hospital stays and elevate healthcare costs. Early mobilisation, supported by appropriate postural care and specialist seating, can help mitigate these risks by maintaining musculoskeletal integrity, supporting vital function, and protecting skin health.

For older adults in particular, the effects of immobility are compounded. Hospital-associated deconditioning can lead to rapid loss of strength, balance, and functional independence, increasing the likelihood of premature admission to long-term care – an outcome that carries significant personal, social, and financial costs.5

Specialist Seating as Part of Early Mobilisation

Early mobilisation plays a vital role in patient recovery, and specialist seating can be an essential enabler of this process. By supporting physical activity, preserving muscle strength, and promoting psychological wellbeing, appropriate seating helps reduce time spent in bed and protects against the risks associated with immobility.

Incorporating specialist seating into early mobilisation strategies not only improves individual health outcomes but also contributes to more efficient use of health and social care resources. Establishing this approach as standard practice within multidisciplinary care pathways enhances both quality of care and system sustainability.

Footnotes

  1. Srikanthan P, Karlamangla AS (2014) Muscle mass index as a predictor of longevity in older adults American Journal of Medicine 127:547–553.
  2. East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (2024) Preventing Deconditioning in Hospital [Accessed 4 September 2025] www.esht.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1120.pdf
  3. Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2025) Preventing Hospital-Acquired Deconditioning [Accessed 4 September 2025] www.dbth.nhs.uk/preventing-hospital-acquired-deconditioning
  4. Di Girolamo FG, Fiotti N, Milanović Z, Situlin R, Mearelli F, Vinci P, Šimunič B, Pišot R, Narici M, Biolo G (2021) The aging muscle in experimental bed rest: A systematic review and meta-analysis Frontiers in Nutrition 8:633987
  5. British Geriatrics Society (2021) Deconditioning Awareness British Geriatrics Society [Accessed 4 September 2025] www.bgs.org.uk/deconditioning-awareness