Standing frame or standing wheelchair?

The August/September issue of Rehab Management featured an article on standing therapy, called “Stand for Health” by Amy Meyer, PT. It covers very thoroughly the benefits of a standing program, and the importance of prescribing a standing program to reduce the risk of complications and gain the benefits of weight bearing. It is a great article overall, but doesn’t really identify the differences between a standing frame and standing wheelchair.

The article lists the many different ways of standing, “tilt tables, individual standing frames, (static or dynamic), gait trainers, or other ambulation aids, and also by integrating standing into a wheelchair seating system.” But then it goes on throughout the article to only talk about wheelchair standing devices, and “incorporating a standing system into a wheelchair“. However, the photos throughout the article are of standing devices only, not standing wheelchairs, or wheelchairs that have a standing device built-in.

For most people, the choice of purchasing a standing frame or standing wheelchair comes down to a few factors:

1. Price - Standing frames range from $2000-$6000, standing wheelchairs can be $20,000 or more.
2. Function - Standing frames can provide more features since they focus on being a standing device only, but a standing wheelchair may be useful in a highly functional setting, such as the workplace to move from sitting to standing and around the office quickly.
3. Upright versus Supine Positioning - Typically the ultimate goal of a standing frame is a vertical upright position, where the standing wheelchair position is a slightly supine position.

The RESNA Position Paper on Standing Wheelchairs has some awesome research backing up the benefits of standing. There is also a Position paper in the works for Standing Devices, without the emphasis on the standing device having to be on a wheelchair.

Together with their therapist, a person who is looking at standing equipment should get the device that is most appropriate for their needs. Both standing frames and standing wheelchairs will provide the important medical benefits.

What factors helped you decide to buy a standing frame or standing wheelchair?  What do you like best about the standing device that you chose?