Webinars Standers – What does the research say?
A young boy smiling in a Rifton Prone Stander.
This 30-minute webinar gives an overview of current research on the topic of standing and adaptive standers as well as specific tips for therapeutic and functional use of Rifton standers.
PT/OT New Webinar on Standers January 22, 2018 by Lori Potts, PT
A young girl standing in a Rifton Mobile Stander looks at a goldfinch in a cage with her caregiver.
Last week, Rifton offered the first in a series of webinars. Standers: What does the research say? Watch the recording below to learn interesting research findings on tone, ROM, bone mineral density, and hip stability. Packed into 30 minutes, this webinar includes interesting research findings on muscle tone and range of motion, bone mineral density, and the issue of hip displacement for children with...
PT/OT Evidence Update: Supported Standing Protocols December 07, 2015 by Elena Noble, MPT
A therapist talks to an adult patient with a neurological condition during a therapeutic standing protocol
For decades already we’ve seen standing programs used as a therapeutic intervention for adults with neurological conditions. We’ve known that without such intervention, patients with spinal cord injuries, strokes, traumatic brain injuries or multiple sclerosis spend hours and hours each day in sedentary postures—with devastating results. Sitting for upwards of eight hours a day leads to...
Evidence Based Practice Evidence Update: Standing Programs for Hip Flexibility July 27, 2015 by Elena Noble, MPT
A young boy with spastic cerebral palsy smiles and claps his hand as while in a standing device
Secondary to the motor disorders which affect their physical development, children with spastic cerebral palsy tend to lose lower limb range of motion between infancy and adolescence. Researchers have measured hip abduction decreases of nine degrees in this population. Since loss of hip abduction makes balance and walking difficult, maintaining hip abduction becomes a crucial intervention. Because of...
PT/OT Choosing Between Adaptive Standers July 01, 2014 by Elena Noble, MPT
A young boy in a Prone stander gives a wave as he participates in classroom activities.
Many people with compromised musculoskeletal systems can benefit from adapted standing programs. Ranging from diagnosis of cerebral palsy to spinal cord injury or muscular dystrophy, research shows that standing can help improve pulmonary function, musculoskeletal development, postural control, intestinal motility and reduce tone. Rifton produces a line of adaptive standers which are known for their simple...
Tips & Advice NCART Standing Device Funding Guide June 04, 2013 by Elena Noble, MPT
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As clinicians you know without a doubt that children with disabilities who are given the opportunity to stand and bear weight experience positive health benefits.  Peer-reviewed literature supports active weight-bearing and dynamic loading for improved bone mineral content and an upright position improves cardiopulmonary functioning, bowel and bladder health and joint range of motion. Unfortunately...
Evidence Based Practice Adaptive Standers Kids with Disabilities and BMD: What's the Evidence? April 02, 2013 by Lori Potts, PT
childrendisabilitiesbonemineraldensity
Bone Mineral Density It’s widely recognized that non-ambulatory children with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy are at risk for decreased bone mineral density (BMD). (1-3) Children with CP can also present with altered skeletal maturation and thinner, smaller bones. (4-6) As a consequence, these children are at an increased risk for fractures. (7-10) Research indicates that fracture risk...