If you’ve experienced a spinal cord injury, stroke, or traumatic brain injury, chances are you’ve encountered a standing frame at some point in your rehab journey. For some, the first exposure happens during an inpatient stay. Others don’t see this equipment until they’re well into outpatient therapy.
Wherever you are in your recovery, understanding what a standing frame is—and whether it’s right for you—can help you make informed decisions about your rehab plan.
What is a Standing Frame?
For this post, we’re focusing on adult standing frames. (Pediatric standers are a whole world of their own!)
A standing frame is a device designed to help individuals who cannot stand independently achieve and maintain an upright position with support. These devices vary in appearance, but most follow a similar process:
- You transfer into the frame.
- A caregiver or provider helps position you and secure safety straps.
- You use a handle or wheel to gradually move into standing.
- Some people reach full standing; others tolerate partial weightbearing depending on pain, symptoms, or medical considerations.
Standing frames are not passive devices—they’re tools that allow you to load your bones, stretch your muscles, and practice upright posture in a safe, supported way.
Common Symptoms You Might Experience in a Standing Frame
Standing—especially if you haven’t done it in a while—can create new sensations. Some are expected; all should be monitored. You may experience:
- Lightheadedness or dizziness (often related to orthostatic hypotension)
- Muscle spasms or increased spasticity
- Muscle tightness
- Joint discomfort
- Changes in sensation during or after standing
These symptoms don’t automatically mean you should stop. What is important is communicating with the person supervising your session so they can adjust your position, duration, or level of support.
Who Should Not Use a Standing Frame?
Standing frames are not appropriate for everyone. You should avoid using one if you have:
- Current fractures or weightbearing precautions
- Severe osteoporosis with high fracture risk
- Significant range‑of‑motion limitations that make standing unsafe
- Any medical condition that makes upright weightbearing a serious risk
Your rehab provider can help determine whether a standing frame is safe for you.
What Are the Benefits of Standing Frames?
A 2013 systematic review (the most comprehensive synthesis available at the time) found:
Strong evidence for:
- Maintaining and improving range of motion
- Improving standing symmetry
- Enhancing the ability to maintain stable standing in individuals with stroke or spinal cord injury
- Improving gait, functional activity, and muscle strength when combined with task‑specific training in sub‑acute stroke
Mixed evidence for:
- Improving or maintaining bone mineral density
Weak evidence for:
- Improving cardiorespiratory function
- Enhancing bowel or bladder function
- Reducing spasticity
- Improving quality of life
How Often Should You Use a Standing Frame?
The review suggests:
- 30 minutes, 5 times per week
→ Positive impact on ROM, standing balance, strength, spasticity, pain, skin integrity, and bowel/bladder function - 60 minutes, 4–6 times per week
→ May be needed for improvements in bone mineral density and mental health outcomes
These are guidelines—not requirements. Real‑life rehab rarely fits neatly into a research protocol.
Limitations of the Research
It’s important to interpret the findings with caution:
- The review is from 2013, so newer research isn’t included.
- Diagnoses were grouped together, making it hard to know which benefits apply to which conditions.
- It didn’t distinguish between acute, sub‑acute, and chronic stages of recovery.
- Studies used many different types of standing devices, which may influence outcomes.
In short: we need more high‑quality research to guide decision‑making.
So… Should You Use a Standing Frame?
Here’s how we think about it at Cortex Rehab:
Is it worth using a standing frame if you can’t meet the “optimal dosage”?
Absolutely.
Just like exercising once a week is better than not exercising at all, some standing is better than none.
Is it worth using if the research is mixed?
It depends on your goals.
For example:
- If your goal is reducing spasticity, there may be more effective tools.
- If your goal is maintaining range of motion, improving standing tolerance, or supporting your return to walking, a standing frame may be a powerful addition to your rehab.
The key is matching the tool to the goal.
Curious Whether a Standing Frame Could Help You?
At Cortex Rehab, we use standing frames strategically—not because they’re trendy, but because they can meaningfully support mobility, function, and independence when used with the right person at the right time.
If you’d like to learn more about how a standing frame might fit into your rehab plan, reach out. We’d love to help you determine whether this device could be a game‑changer in your recovery.
Paleg G, Livingstone R. Systematic review and clinical recommendations for dosage of supported home-based standing programs for adults with stroke, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2015 Nov 17;16:358. doi: 10.1186/s12891-015-0813-x. PMID: 26576548; PMCID: PMC4650310.
Disclaimer:
This blog is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor does it replace a formal evaluation by a licensed physical therapist. If you have concerns about your mobility, range of motion, or rehabilitation needs, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.