How long is each tilt table position typically maintained?

• A. 5-10 minutes
• B. 15-30 minutes
• C. 30-60 minutes
• D. 60-90 minutes

Answer: (C)

Holding each tilt position for 30-60 minutes allows the body to fully reveal its autonomic and cardiovascular responses to upright posture. When tilted upright, venous pooling reduces venous return to the heart, and the baroreceptor reflex adjusts heart rate and vascular tone. These adjustments take time to stabilize, and observing symptoms or tolerance over a longer period helps determine true orthostatic response and guide rehabilitation progress. Shorter holds may not provoke or reveal how well the system adapts, while much longer holds are less common in typical sessions and carry increased fatigue risk unless a specific protocol calls for them.