Abstract
[Purpose] We examined the comfort of children with severe motor and intellectual disabilities in the supine position, the hugging sitting position with the mother, and a seated position maintained with support. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were seven children with Gross Motor Function Classification System Level V. Their heart rate was recorded using a wireless electrocardiogram in the three postures. The low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) components obtained from analysis of the data were compared among the three postures, using the LF/HF ratio, as an index of sympathetic nerve activity, and the HF component, as an index of parasympathetic nerve. [Results] Both the LF/HF and HF components showed significant changes from the other postures in the hugging sitting position. [Conclusion] The results seem to show that comfort was obtained in the hugging sitting position, because parasympathetic nerve activity increased and sympathetic nerve activity decreased.
