Being able to stand upright is often taken for granted. Most people are not aware of how important the ability to stand really is, and how this impacts their physical and mental health. Besides stretching muscles and helping to avoid contractures, the act of standing additionally improves alertness, sleep patterns and overall well-being; enhances blood pressure and circulation; aids in digestion, bowel function and bladder drainage; facilitates the formation of the hip joint in early development; reduces the risk of fractures and increases bone density; improves skin integrity by relieving pressure encountered while sitting; and enhances respiration and voice control.

   
For special needs children who, for various reasons, are not able to stand on their own, the act of standing becomes even more important. During extensive clinical trials conducted on children in 'standing therapy', many of these children were observed with kyphotic postures and posterior pelvic tilt, often as a result of a stretch on the hamstring muscles. But with the Leckey® Mygo Stander from Rehabmart, these standing therapy issues become a thing of the past. Appropriate for children ages four to fourteen, the Mygo offers a 3-in-1 supine, prone or upright stander flexibility, even for children who have 25 degree contractures. Because of its unique knee and foot support design, the Mygo offers full support with knee and hip flexibility to children with fixed contractures. Its unique swinging footplate mechanically links the movement of the footplate to the movement of the knee support which enables the child to stand in a fully supported position, thereby taking the strain off the hamstrings and other contracted muscles, which ultimately results in a more comfortable, natural and upright posture.

Other state-of-the-art features include V-shaped knee supports that include specially designed knee straps to ensure a proximal fit regardless of the size of the user's knees, and that help to reduce load-bearing on the patella. The contoured shoulder support has 'wings' that can be angle-adjusted to provide increased shoulder protraction, bringing the hands to midline, which helps in increasing upper limb and hand control for better function. The chest pad is ergonomically designed to mimic the shape of the rib cage, enabling the shoulder girdle to freely protract and retract while in a prone standing position, strengthening upper body function. Wrap-around flexible chest laterals additionally support the upper body in all three positions (prone, upright or supine) with minimal obstruction. The headrest support bracket will support a wide range of different head supports, including the custom wide size from Leckey.

 

Other great features include a pelvic derotation belt which enables therapists to position their pediatric client's pelvis in a central and neutral position with minimal effort; a gluteal prompt that provides a proprioceptive sense of security; and flexible hip laterals that provide proximal support to the pelvis and ensure that the child remains in a central position. Added security and support is provided to the user by the optional posterior support pad, which also includes a pommel and hip laterals, when in the prone standing position.

Suitable for children ages four to fourteen, the Mygo Stander is specifically designed to promote independence and improved function. Besides helping to improve mental and physical health, this stander also enables kids to interact eye-to-eye with their peers. This kind of interaction improves self-esteem, confidence and self-image as children find themselves accomplishing tasks in the same manner as other siblings or students. By eliminating the fear of falling, supported standing allows children to direct their attention toward learning and social interaction. Consequently, the Leckey® Mygo Stander raises the quality of life for children everywhere who are unable to stand on their own, increasing their ability to play, feed and communicate, and to be healthier and happier in every way.

Carol Koenigsknecht,
Medical Consumer Editor,
Content & Social Media Services
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO