Is bed rest useful after diagnostic lumbar puncture?

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Abstract
Summary: A randomized study of 110 patients undergoing their first diagnostic lumbar puncture was performed to compare the effect of immediate mobilization with 4 hours bed rest on the incidence of post lumbar puncture headache. There was no difference between the mobile (n = 54) and bed rest (n = 56) groups in the incidence of post lumbar puncture headache (32% versus 31%, respectively). We conclude that bed rest following lumbar puncture may be an unnecessary imposition on the patient, as well as on nursing staff.