Prone position
Prone position has been studied in 2 papers since 2024: 2 observational studies in people; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Apr 19, 2026: “Effects of Intraoperative Prone Versus Supine Positioning on Postoperative Delirium”.
2 papers study it4 findingsUpdated
“Postoperative delirium rates were similar in prone and supine patients (7.6% vs. 5.5%; p = 0.31), and logistic regression analysis revealed no association of intraoperative prone positioning with POD”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 2 independent labs in 2 countries
- Funder: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
- Humans2
What did studies of Prone position find?
3Studies of Prone position measured 3 outcomes; the most studied are mortality (1 study), length of hospital stay (1) and postoperative delirium (1).
Mortality
no changein humans1
1 study
Mortality
no changein humans1
Prone position was not clearly linked with mortality in humans after surgery.
“LOS and mortality as secondary outcome parameters were also similar in patients after prone and supine surgery.”
Humansafter surgery
Effects of Intraoperative Prone Versus Supine Positioning on Postoperative Delirium
Geriatrics (Basel, Switzerland)
Length of hospital stay
no changein humans1
1 study
Length of hospital stay
no changein humans1
Prone position was not clearly linked with length of hospital stay in humans after surgery.
“LOS and mortality as secondary outcome parameters were also similar in patients after prone and supine surgery.”
Humansafter surgery
Effects of Intraoperative Prone Versus Supine Positioning on Postoperative Delirium
Geriatrics (Basel, Switzerland)
Postoperative delirium
no changein humans1OR 1.42
1 study
Postoperative delirium
no changein humans1OR 1.42
Prone position was not clearly linked with postoperative delirium in humans (scheduled for elective surgery) (OR 1.42 (95% CI 0.68-2.92; p = 0.342)).
“Postoperative delirium rates were similar in prone and supine patients (7.6% vs. 5.5%; p = 0.31), and logistic regression analysis revealed no association of intraoperative prone positioning with POD”
Humansscheduled for elective surgery
Effects of Intraoperative Prone Versus Supine Positioning on Postoperative Delirium
Geriatrics (Basel, Switzerland)
What is Prone position linked with?
1Studies link Prone position with 1 measure, most often physical activity (1 study).
Physical activity
downin humans1
1 study
Physical activity
downin humans1
Prone position is associated with physical activity in humans (patients discharged from the ICU due to severe COVID-19).
“A lower level of physical activity was associated with individuals who remained in the prone position during hospitalization”
Humanspatients discharged from the ICU due to severe COVID-19
Functional status and quality of life after ICU discharge in severe COVID-19 patients
Respiratory medicine