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The KAYE Bolster Chairs are most appropriate for children with spastic or athetoid CP who have stiffness in the lower extremities that may prevent them from sitting with a wide base of support. Finnie* first described the benefits of straddling a rolled seat to assist in postural
control. Other clinical investigators describe decreased
hip and knee stiffness, a more vertical pelvis, and approximation of the normal spinal curves when children use a rolled seat that is adjusted so that the feet are flat on the floor. The lateral pelvic supports and foot supports, standard on the KAYE Bolster Chairs, aid symmetry and alignment in sitting without the necessity of restraints.
This makes it possible for the child to move in sitting
without producing movements that interfere with balance
and postural control.
The KAYE Bolster Chairs are an excellent seating alternative for children who sit on the floor with their legs under them, W-style, to gain stability. Prolonged W-sitting contributes to secondary muscle contractures and skeletal deformities. Excessive adduction and flexion of the hips in children with CP limits their ability to move into and out of sitting and prevents normal alignment for standing and walking. The KAYE Bolster Chairs maintain hip flexion with abduction and external rotation, a position that promotes movement in sitting and inhibits the deforming influences of W-sitting.
With lateral pelvic supports, the Bolster Chairs promote symmetrical posture so that the child can use both hands freely. The adjustable foot supports help maintain the hips and knees at 90 degrees in order to keep the child’s center of gravity over the base of support, yet the foot supports do not restrain the feet.
The KAYE Bolster Chairs can be purchased with an adjustable Chest Support System that limits movements of the upper trunk to the range that the child can control.
This allows the child to lean forward or to the sides to reach and play, yet regain the upright position with less effort.