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Pediatric standers, designed for children with physical disabilities, provide therapeutic support with a sturdy frame for various positions, enhancing mobility and overall well-being. Beneficial for paraplegic and special needs children, these aids, similar to adult upright walkers, contribute to improved social, emotional, and physical health both at home and in school.
Why Use Special Needs Standers?
According to medical research, certain disabled patients can benefit from being maintained in specific positions for a set period of time. A comprehensive study that analyzed 30 separate studies found the following:
"A positive impact on bone mineral density can be seen with standing programs that are performed 5 days per week for 60 to 90 minutes per day. Additionally, hip stability can be improved with daily standing sessions of 60 minutes, including 30 to 60 degrees of bilateral hip abduction. The range of motion in the hip, knee, and ankle can also be increased through daily standing sessions of 45 to 60 minutes, and spasticity can be reduced with daily standing sessions of 30 to 45 minutes."
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What Are The Key Advantages Of Pediatric Standers?
Pediatric standers, including those designed for paraplegic patients, offer numerous benefits that can improve overall health and wellbeing. These benefits include increased circulation, reduced swelling, better bladder function, and increased muscle strength. Standers provide weight-bearing support and encourage the use of arms and hands.
A study conducted by school-based physical therapists found that the benefits of stander devices are numerous, with pressure relief being rated as the most important factor by a majority of the respondents. More than 50% of those surveyed also emphasized the significant social and educational benefits of using standers. The benefits of these devices go beyond the physical, positively affecting social and emotional health as well.
The use of standers has been found to provide a range of health benefits, including:
- Improved circulation
- Reduced swelling
- Enhanced bone density
- Support for skeletal development
- Management of scoliosis
- Improved bowel function
- Enhanced kidney function
- Promotion of bladder function
- Strengthening of trunk muscles
- Strengthening of leg muscles
- Improved head control
- Prevention and management of pressure ulcers
- Management of muscle atrophy
- Stimulation of range of motion
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Encouragement of head control
- Improved respiratory function
- Stimulation of gastric motility
- Encouragement of motor development
- Psychological boost for the patient by placing them at eye level with other children
- Support for hip alignment
- Reduction of the risk of lower extremity contractures.
Different Types Of Pediatric Standers
- Vertical Standers: Support an upright position for children with some balance and trunk control.
- Multi-Position Standers: Adjustable to offer two or more types of support.
- Sit-to-Stand Standers: Help patients with transfers between upright and supine positions.
- Mobile Standers: An upright self-propelled stander that provides partial weight-bearing support and enables an upright position and upper body mobility. It promotes motor skills and independence by allowing for more patient mobility and independent standing.