Authors (including presenting author) :
YUEN TY(1), MAK KW(1), SHIH WK(1), TSE LC(1), HUI CH(1), TSANG KN(1), WOO MC(1), CHAN YY(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Medicine & Rehabilitation, Tung Wah Eastern Hospital
Keyword 2: :
sitting out program
Keyword 3: :
psychological
Introduction :
The act of rehabilitation patients getting out of bed fosters patients’ hope, strengthens functional independence, particularly when patients transition from bed to chair with assistance. Patients psychological (perception of regaining functional independence) wellbeing is strengthened with a nurse-led program.
Objectives :
• To analyze the effectiveness of sitting out patients in improving psychological wellbeing among rehabilitation patients.
• To enhance healthcare staff awareness of the importance of maintaining a safe physical environment for fall and pressure injury prevention when assisting geriatric patients in sitting out.
Methodology :
A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test single group conducted in Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of Tung Wah Eastern Hospital was performed from 17th November to 29th December, 2025. A one-hour nurse-led education session on safe patient sit-out was conducted, covering the benefits, indications, contraindications, manual handling considerations, and the use of fall-prevention equipment, including the waist belt, pelvic holder, and fall alarm pad. 50 at least chair-bound patients were invited, while patients were unable to tolerate sitting (bed-bound) were excluded. Geriatric Depression Scale 4-item (GDS-4) Cantonese Version was used to establish a baseline assessment for patients’ psychological well-being during pretests. Both nurses and patient care assistants help patients sit out of bed at least once daily during their stay. Record the duration of sit-out sessions, patients’ psychological behavior, and activities performed during these sessions. Re-administer the GDS-4 and patient satisfaction survey one day prior to discharge to assess changes in psychological well-being as posttest data.
Result & Outcome :
50 geriatric male patients participated in this study. The mean age was 77.5±12.5 and ages ranged from 65 to 90. All patients sit out at least morning as tolerated, ranged from 20 minutes to 90 minutes. They participated tabletop exercise with occupational therapist, watched tv and leg muscle training with sandbag kicking. All patients demonstrated safe sit out during program, with zero falls or injuries reported. 86% of patients showed improved psychological wellbeing by GDS 4-item scoring. They showed improvement as their scoring indicates from potential depression to depression free. In patient satisfaction surveys, all patients agreed or strongly agreed to sit out with health care providers is safe. 78% of patients also agreed or strongly agreed to sit out at least increase their capacity of selfcare and muscle strength daily. In addition, 86% of patients agreed or strongly agreed to mobilize more as tolerated after discharge because they are more aware of importance of sit out.
