J Spinal Cord Med, 2008 · DOI: · Published: January 1, 2008
This study investigates whether standing helps protect bone density in people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Bone mineral loss is a common issue after SCI, potentially due to immobilization. The researchers compared bone density in the hip and lower back of SCI patients who stood for different amounts of time each day: more than one hour, less than one hour, or not at all. While the study didn't find significant differences in bone density between the groups, there was a slight trend toward higher bone density in the group that stood for more than one hour daily.
Therapeutic standing is traditionally advised to patients with chronic SCI and is usually incorporated in their rehabilitation programs in order to prevent osteoporosis.
Prospectively designed, controlled studies are needed to further examine the extent of the effect of weight bearing on bone density in patients with SCI.
Osteoporosis after SCI may be the result of combined effects of immobilization and other factors that are not clear today. Therapeutic standing aims to reduce immobilization, but apparently has no effect on other factors.