There are numerous medical benefits for a person who uses a wheelchair for mobility to participate in a consistent standing program (and research studies to back them up). But how do the medical benefits translate into improved quality of life? Let’s take a closer look at some of the medical benefits of a standing program and how they translate into an improved quality of life:
Standing decreases abnormal muscle tone/improving head, neck, upper body muscle control, & facilitating symmetrical posture.
Improved Quality of Life Example: When there are issues with spasticity or poor muscle control, positioning is effected. Regular standing programs can help by re- aligning the body and decreasing abnormal spasticity allowing transfers, positioning and sleep to regain more normal function.
Standing improves range of motion in the spine hips, knees, and ankles.
Improved Quality of Life Example: Again, it helps facilitate a better seated position. Also, without normal range of motion, everyday tasks such as transferring and laying down in bed may become very difficult. Once a client has the ability to stand on a daily schedule usually L/E ROM increases and transfers and bed positioning become easier.
Nila stands 2x a week at the MS Achievement Center. Click on her photo to read how standing helps her quality of life.
Standing reduces pressure issues.
Improved Quality of Life Example: Standing gets the user out the wheelchair position and gives adequate pressure relief to reduce the risk of pressure sores and the other medical issues that pressures sores create. Pressure issues can be life threatening, as they were for Christopher Reeves. In addition to getting the appropriate cushion to reduce pressure issues, it is also important to change positions to get pressure relief. Standing helps to relieve pressures from areas that were not meant to bear weight, and places weight on areas meant to bear weight, such as the feet.
Standing improves systemic functions including bladder, digestive, respiratory, and circulation.
Improved Quality of Life Examples:
Bladder- While standing in the upright position, gravity can assist with complete emptying of the bladder, decreasing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTI’s).
Digestive- In the upright standing position, gravity can assist motility and can help with transit time decreasing chances of impaction and regulating bowel programs.
Respiratory-Standing in the upright position gives the lungs room to expand allowing complete inhalation and exhalation, versus having a scrunched chest. By giving the chest full expansion and contraction space (versus the seated position) this upright position allows for a more productive cough, better vocalization, and better quality breathing (i.e. we sing while standing).
Circulation- Standing allows the body to get full blood circulation, improved circulation and more oxygen getting to brain helps increase attention span and focus., increases stamina and energy.
How have you witnessed a standing program increase the quality of life for a person who is usually in the seated position? What other steps have you taken to improve the quality of life for your clients?
Quick comment on the section about standing improving digestion. People often talk about the improvements to the bottom end of the digestion system, but lately I have heard from people saying that standing helped them with the top end as well. Some find it easier to swallow when they are standing to eat. And others have mentioned that they had less reflux activity if they stood after eating. I think standing can help gravity keep everything moving in the right direction.