Purpose: This study was designed to examine the effects of positioning on respiratory measurements in individuals with cerebral palsy and severe scoliosis. Methods: Five individuals (17-37 years of age) participated in an alternating treatment single subject research design. Oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, pulse rate, and chest wall excursion measurements were obtained during supine, sitting, and sidelying positions. Results: Positioning in sitting and sidelying was associated with increased oxygen saturation and decreased respiratory rate. Pulse rate did not change as expected with the positions due to large variances within and between subjects. Chest wall excursion values were limited in all positions due to structural restrictions. Clinical observations such as increased communicative interactions, decreased effort in breathing and in frequency of suctioning were found in sitting and sidelying in certain subjects. Conclusions: Therapeutic positioning in sitting and sidelying may be preferred over supine, and associated with improved oxygen saturation and respiratory rates for adolescents and adults with cerebral palsy and scoliosis. Further research is needed with a larger population to empirically link specific positions with improved respiratory efficiency across various parameters.
