New assistive technology for passive standing

The anesthetic skin of patients with spinal cord injuries makes these patie nts a high-risk population for burn injuries. Innovations in rehabilitation engineering can now provide the disabled with mechanical devices that allo w for passive standing. Passive standing has been shown to counteract many of the effects of chronic immobilization and spinal cord injury, including bone demineralization, urinary calculi, cardiovascular instability, and red uced joint range of motion and muscular tone. This article will describe se veral unique assistive devices that allow for passive standing and an impro vement in daily living for people with disabilities.