are common secondary complications among individuals using a power wheelchair.
Clinical Recommendations
Studies in able-bodied individuals without bowel dysfunction show that food empties from the stomach best when individuals alternate between sitting and standing, and worst when individuals just sit, stand or lie down.
Power Standing Wheelchairs
Power standing may improve bladder and bowel function as detailed in the following studies:
Improvement in the constipation quality of life measure Gholke & Kenyon 2022
Self-reported improvements of the digestive function Vorster et al. 2019
Lower incidence of urinary tract infections with the use of a power standing wheelchair LaBerge et al. 2021
User Benefits
A power standing wheelchair may improve bowel, bladder and digestive function, and also provides users with autonomy, reducing their reliance on family and caregivers.
1. Improved bladder and bowel function
Power standing wheelchair users self-reported improved digestion and improved bladder and bowel functionality
The chair enables the user to alternate between sitting, lying and standing positions, which facilitates food emptying from the stomach in the bestpossible way
2. User independence
Power standing has been found to enhance independent Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and personal care, with most users benefitting from going to the toilet independently Vorster et al. 2019, Bayley et al. 2020, Young et al. 2020
The combination of the anti-shear mechanism andthe autonomy of the standing sequence provides a better sit-to-stand transfer for the user
Users provided with the autonomy of control, increasing their independence and reducing their reliance on family and caregivers
