Use of a device to support standing during a physical activity program to improve function of individuals with disabilities who reside in a nursing home.

Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of an innovative program of physical activity using a standing-support device targeted towards adult residents of a nursing home who are unable to transfer or stand independently.

Method: Intervention study.

Participants: Thirteen residents, age 82 +/- 11 years, at the Beit Bayer Nursing Home, Jerusalem, Israel, who were unable to transfer or stand independently.

Intervention: Eight-week observational period followed by 12-week physical activity performed while standing in a Standing-Support Device.

Measurements: Manual Muscle Testing, joint range of motion, forward and lateral reach, time to stand independently, distance walked with a walker, Functional Independence Measure.

Results: Compared to the observational period, significant post-intervention improvements were noted particularly in lower extremity muscle strength. Improvements in the Functional Independence Measure were noted in sphincter control, locomotion, mobility, motor score, and total score. Over 60% of those previously requiring assistance in standing became able to stand for an average of 1 min unassisted and walk an average of 14 m with a walker.

Conclusion: A pilot program of physical activity using a Standing-Support Device is feasible in selected stance-disabled older adult nursing home residents. Participants showed evidence of muscle strength and functional improvement. Future studies of the device with a concurrent examination of healthcare costs, functional improvement, and staff burden, are recommended.