Motor Neurone Disease (or MND) refers to a group of progressive neurological disorders that primarily affect cells in the central nervous system, which is responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement. Motor neurones are responsible for transmitting signals from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, enabling movements like walking, talking and breathing.

There are several types of motor neuron diseases, with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) being the most well-known and common. ALS specifically affects both the upper and lower motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, difficulty in speaking, swallowing, and eventually breathing.

MND can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to sit comfortably.

As the disease progresses, the muscles responsible for posture and balance can weaken. This means that individuals with MND may struggle to sit up straight without support.

As muscle strength diminishes, transferring from one seat to another, or transitioning to standing, can become challenging. Muscle twitching and spasms can cause further unintended movements that impact comfort, posture and stability.

Limited mobility can increase the risk of pressure injuries and have a negative impact on overall quality of life.

Finding a quality chair for an individual with MND requires careful consideration of their specific needs and profile. Head control and positioning is one of the biggest challenges. This starts from the pelvis, which needs to act as a stable base of support.

While there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach, there are some key features of Seating Matters chairs that combat the symptoms associated with MND. These include:

• Tilt in Space (45 degrees): When the entire chair shifts in position on its frame as one unit, while maintaining the angle of the individual’s hips, knees and ankles.
• Independent Back Angle Recline: Adjustment in angle of the back of the chair, while the body remains stationary.
• Adjustable Head, Neck & Shoulder Sections: Increasing support as required, in line with the degenerative nature of MND.
• Adjustable Arm Rests, Seat Width, Seat Depth, Foot Plate Height & Back Height
• Medium to High Pressure Management Cushion

The benefits of a Seating Matters chair for a patient with MND may include improved postural support, pressure relief and redistribution, improved breathing, increased mobility, heightened independence, fall prevention, reduced pain, and significantly improved overall quality of life.

The first step is to Book a Free Seating Assessment.

This individual assessment is always necessary. It involves testing the range of motion of an patient’s joints, understanding their specific symptoms, and assessing the standards and impact of their current bed or chair.

On the basis of this assessment and any personal goals of the patient, their family and their care team, a specific Seating Matters chair will be recommended to meet their needs.

The symptoms of MND can vary greatly from person to person. This means that each individual will have very different requirements and needs.

Some of the most frequent signs of early stage MND include:

• Muscle weakness, which may be noticed in a specific area, like a hand or foot.
• Muscle twitching and cramping
• Fatigue, even after light activities
• Changes in speech, such as slurring of words
• Challenges with fine motor skills like handwriting
• Minor problems with balance, coordination or even walking
• Weight loss

MND is a progressive disease, meaning symptoms tends to worsen over time. While the rate at which this happens will vary, later stage symptoms of MND typically include:

• Severe muscle weakness, which makes it difficult to perform even basic movement
• Severe difficulty swallowing (Dysphagia)
• Difficulty breathing, often resulting in a requirement for ventilation or respiratory support
• Difficulty eating and drinking, which can lead to weight loss and malnutrition
• Pain and discomfort as a result of muscle cramps and immobility
• Difficulty speaking (Dysarthria) due to muscle weakness
• Complete paralysis
• Respiratory failure

In most cases, the cause of MND in unknown, though it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Familial MND: Up to 15% of cases are the result of genetic mutations. If an MND gene is present, there is a 50% chance that the individual’s children, siblings and parents will also have the gene. In these cases, there may be individuals who carry the MND gene, but never actually develop the disease.

Yes, our MND chairs are available to trial.

The first step is to organise a Free Seating Assessment, conducted by a clinically trained Seating Matters Specialist. This Assessment takes approximately 60 minutes and can be completed at home or hospital.

Based on this Assessment, the most suitable Seating Matters chair will be provided for the patient to trial. This will be adjusted to fit them correctly, taking into consideration things like seat depth, seat width and chair height. Postural supports and further customisations can also be added.