The Role of Standing Frame Therapy in Stroke Rehabilitation

What is a Stroke?

A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted because of a blocked or ruptured blood vessel. This leads to brain damage. In the U.S., about 800,000 people experience a stroke annually. This makes it a leading cause of death and disability, according to the Stroke Awareness Foundation.

The Role of Standing Frame Therapy in Stroke Rehabilitation

Standing frame therapy plays an important role in stroke rehabilitation by helping patients regain standing ability, improving weight-bearing capacity, and enhancing overall functional mobility. It also provides an upright supportive position, allowing individuals to experience weight-bearing through affected limbs and engage in activities that foster muscle strengthening and coordination.

Standing frame therapy, also known as standing practice, assists with tasks such as sit-to-stand and promotes balance and functional abilities. Standing frame therapy uses a standing frame to help stroke patients achieve and maintain a standing posture.

It has also been found that standing frames can be used in the early stages of rehabilitation, enabling therapists to gauge tolerance for upright positions and access for hypertension.

Considerations for Standing Frame Therapy for Stroke Recovery

Individual Approach – The use of standing frames must be catered to each patient’s needs and capabilities.

Potential for Falls – With standing frames comes the potential for falls if not utilized carefully.

Balance and Stability – Patients probably will need support to maintain balance and stability while using a standing frame.

Availability and Cost – Standing frames may not be easily available for all rehabilitation settings, and they can be expensive.

Benefits of Standing Frames for Stroke Rehabilitation

Enhanced Balance and Postural Control

The upright position provided by a standing frame assists stroke patients in improving their balance and postural control. These are vital for functional mobility and independence.

Improved Weight-Bearing

Standing frame therapy allows patients to safely engage in weight-bearing through their affected limbs. This is essential for muscle strengthening and overall recovery from a stroke.

Preparing for Gait Training

Standing frames can help to ready patients for gait training by increasing strength, balance, and endurance in their lower extremities.

Improved Muscle Strength and Range of Motion

This type of innovative therapy allows for exercises that take aim at specific muscle groups, fostering strength and range of motion improvements in the affected extremities.

Prevention of Contractures

Standing frame therapy can help prevent the development of contractures, which are the shortening and stiffening of muscles, in the affected limbs.

Stimulation of Neuroplasticity

Patients who use standing frames can stimulate neuroplasticity by promoting upright standing and weight-bearing.

Increasing Ankle Dorsiflexion

Standing frame therapy can help increase the toe-up movement of the ankles, which is vital for functional walking.

Improved Circulation

A patient’s blood circulation improves, and swelling in their lower extremities is decreased when they engage in exercises that put them in an upright, weight-bearing position.

Improved Bone Density

Stroke patients participating in standing frame therapy could realize an improvement in bone mineralization, which could be advantageous if they have experienced a decrease in bone density because of immobility.

Improved Quality of Life

Standing frame therapy has the potential to enhance the quality of life for stroke patients in rehab by fostering greater independence and participation in regular and daily activities.

Stroke patients also enjoy psychosocial benefits by having standing frames incorporated into their rehab routines. For example, the ability to stand upright and take part in activities has a positive influence on a patient’s self-esteem and mental well-being. This also leads to an improved quality of life.

The Pioneering S2S Standing Frame™ by Therapeutic Industries is a Powerful Tool for Stroke Patients

The S2S Standing Frame by Therapeutic Industries provides the essential support of a traditional standing frame along with added functionality of a sit-to-stand lift. The S2S enables patients to complete rehabilitation exercises directly from their rooms or wherever they happen to be, which eliminates the need for transport to the therapy gym.

This revolutionary therapy equipment offers a convenient and efficient solution for both therapists and patients. The adjustable height, seat lift, and backrest are all controlled with a user-friendly hand control for ease of use, reducing physical exertion for therapists while enhancing patient care. Therapists can control many therapeutic modalities without manual intervention.

Designed with multi-functionality in mind, the S2S integrates a wide variety of therapeutic activities, including core strengthening exercises. The S2S is uniquely created to simplify and enhance rehabilitative therapy, including for stroke patients.

Standing Frame Therapy Provides Valuable Rehab Tool for Stroke Patients

Standing frame therapy can be effective for stroke rehabilitation, as it offers benefits that include improved weight-bearing, increased circulation, and muscle strength and coordination. Other advantages of standing frames include stretching contracted muscles, decreasing spasticity, and improving bladder and bowel function.

A standing frame is a valuable tool that can also safely assist patients with severe stroke into a supported standing posture. This type of therapy has the capability of enhancing overall functional mobility. When utilized correctly by therapists, standing frame therapy can help stroke patients recover faster and more effectively.