Individuals who use wheelchairs are at an increased risk of pressure injuries
due to factors such as prolonged sitting, inability to redistribute pressure independently, postural asymmetries, sensory impairments and spasticity.
Clinical Recommendations
The International Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG), recommend frequently repositioning to redistribute and/or offload the pressure in the pelvic area, regardless of the type of support surface that has been used. EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA 2019
Power Standing Wheelchairs
A power standing wheelchair enables the user to independently reposition into a standing position to offload the pelvic area.
A standing position provides significant off-loading Sprigle et al. 2010
Shear forces associated with the sit-to-stand transfer need to be considered Yang et al. 2010; Cho et al. 2014
20% of the Permobil standing survey participants indicated that they use the power standing function for pressure management
User Benefits
A power standing wheelchair provides a number of benefits to the user at home and in the workplace, enabling them to decide when to stand and therefore adapt their position as required with regards to pressure redistribution.
1. Reduced pain and pressure
Compared to tilt and recline, standing decreases loads off seat and backrest simultaneously Sprigle et al. 2010
2. Increased independence
The ability to independently reposition may enable the user to move without assistance, contributing to improved pressure management
Power standing wheelchairs may provide the individual with control over the decision on when to stand, they may be more independent and therefore less restrictive in daily use Vorster et al. 2019; Kenyon et al. 2021
“My standing wheelchair is more convenient because I don’t have to transfer to stand, which results in more standing”
