Indications for a Home Standing Program for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Addition al ana lyses w re condu cted on a recently publi shed survey of person s with spin al co rd injury (SCI ) who used st nding mobi lity devi ces. Frequency and duration of standing were examined in relation to outco mes using chi squar analyses. Respondents (n = 99) wh o stood 30 minutes or more per day had signifi antly improved quality o f lif , f w r b d so res, fewer bl adder inf ctions, improved bow I regul arity, and improved abi lity to straighten th eir legs ompar d with those who stood less time. Compliance with regul ar home standing (at least on ce per week) was high (74%) . The data also suggest th at individual s with SCI could benefit from standing even if th ey w ere to beg in several years aft er injury. Th observa tion of pati ent benefits and high compli ance rates sugges t th at mobil e standing devices should be mor strongly con sidered as a major intervention for relief from secondary medi al co mpli ca ti ons Clnd improvement in overall quality of life of individuals wi th SCI.Key word s: spinal cord injury, standin g mobility devi c s, physica l therapy, paraplegia, qu adrip leg ia, seco ndary omp lica tion , disa bi lity, spasti ity, quality of life· INTRODUCTIONIn the lon g-te rm care of individuals with s pinal cord injury (SCI) th ere is likely to b a high rate of s cond ry medical complic tion s.

Positive effect of balance training with visual feedback on standing balance abilities in people with incomplete spinal cord injury

“…3,16 However, the effect of balance training with visual feedback during standing in the SCI population has not been reported well. It has been suggested that the standing posture has a number of therapeutic and functional benefits 17 aimed at overcoming physiological problems, such as bladder infections, 17 spasticity, 18 blood pressure homeostasis, 19 and bone demineralization. 20 We believe that regaining functionality during self-governed standing will decrease secondary complications and increase independence, and consequently, improve the quality of life of individuals with SCI.…”

Comparative shoulder kinematics during free standing, standing depression lifts and daily functional activities in persons with paraplegia: considerations for shoulder health

“…Based on questionnaire data, patients with SCI using standing devices reported improved quality of life, bowel regularity, and ability to straighten their legs and fewer bedsores and bladder infections, as compared with those who stood less. 5 However, quantitative evidence regarding actual physiological benefits of standing is notably limited. A case study reported that the use of a standing table increased frequency of bowel movements and decreased bowel care time.…”

“…While standing and brace walking are often the goals for persons following SCI, the rationale behind these goals primarily lies in the perceived benefits of standing, including improvements in quality of life, range of motion, bowel regularity, skin integrity and fewer urinary tract infections. 5,6 However, the risks for increased shoulder pain and impingement associated with repetitive stresses from lifting one's entire body, as may occur during brace walking or seated depression lifts, are not well understood.…”

Design and Evaluation of a Stand-Up Motorized Prone Cart

“…Of the respondents, 21% reported increased ability to empty their bladder more completely, while others reported improved bowel regularity, reduction of urinary tract infections, reduction of leg spasticity, and reduction of number of pressure ulcers. A secondary analysis of these data showed that respondents who stood 30 minutes or more per day had significantly improved quality of life, fewer pressure ulcers, fewer bladder infections, improved bowel regularity, and improved ability to straighten their legs compared with those who stood less time (39).…”