When it comes to physical therapy and gait training, an unweighted treadmill system is one of the latest advancements. Unweighted treadmill systems, such as Lokomat therapy, offer unrivaled ability to decrease the risk of injury and increase the rate of patient recovery. From stroke patients who need help steadying their gait to people living with paralysis and trying to learn to walk again, an unweighted treadmill can be an invaluable treatment.
Let’s take a closer look at what an unweighted treadmill system is and how they work. Then we will discuss some of the benefits. Additionally, we will consider the types of patients who are helped the most by this form of therapy.
Crucial Components of an Unweighted Treadmill System
An unweighting treadmill system requires several key components to be as effective as possible. Here are three of the most critical:
- Harness – The harness is the key component in the unweighing part of the system. Since you are in the harness, the physical therapist can control precisely how much of your weight you carry and how the harness holds.
- Exoskeleton – The exoskeleton straps to your legs to create a normal gait. This is crucial for patients who are stroke survivors or who are living with a condition like cerebral palsy. Creating a natural walk is also vital for paralysis patients who no longer experience this sensation on their own.
- Performance Feedback – Augmented Performance Feedback allows the patient to feel like they are doing more than just walking in place on a treadmill. Research reveals that this increases the effect of the gait training system. I can also help patients to work harder to reach goals.
How Does an Unweighted Treadmill System Work?
Unweighted treadmills are an ingenious way to provide intensive training for those who have limitations due to injury or illness. The harness suspends the patient above the treadmill. This is the unweighing part of the system. Next, the exoskeleton is strapped on. This allows the device to simulate a natural gait, regardless of whether the patient currently has the ability to walk.
Finally, the performance feedback challenges the patient to set and reach new goals. This is crucial in making improvement and seeing the advancement. By taking the risk of injury out of the equation for both patient and therapist, patient care improves. An unweighted treadmill system allows a physical therapist to focus on the work and the patient.
Who Will Get the Most Benefits from an Unweighing Treadmill?
This is an expensive system, and that means time slots for use are limited, even if you are fortunate enough to be working with a rehabilitation facility that has one. Therefore, it is vital to place those who will get the most potential benefits on the system. Who will see the most advancement from Lokomat therapy?
- Spinal cord injuries – Whether it is an incomplete injury that causes paresis or a complete injury resulting in paralysis, the unweighted treadmill can give you the opportunity to exercise the lower half of your body. It may even help to rewire the nerves as they experience a natural walking pattern despite the damage to the spinal cord. The more likely you are to walk again, the better candidate you are for the Lokomat.
- Stroke recovery – Following a stroke, you may experience difficulty walking, partial paralysis on one side, an altered gait, or an increased fall risk. An unweighted treadmill can help you recover faster than walking on your own because you can walk longer and with a natural gait. It also decreases the risk of injury during your recovery because you do not have to support all of your own weight. Your balance can improve as your muscles regain strength, range of motion, and possibly even function.
- Cerebral palsy – Cerebral palsy can result in a scissored gait or other problems with walking. While an unweighted treadmill isn’t going to repair the underlying damage, it can help teach the body a proper way to walk. Repeated efforts may help to restore a more natural gait, can increase muscle strength, and may reduce the risk of falling.
Besides these, someone may also benefit from this type of therapy while recovering from a TBI, Guillain-Barre syndrome, or when living with conditions like muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis.
The Benefits of an Unweighted Treadmill System
There are several advantages that can come from this type of therapy. Here are some of the more essential recovery benefits:
- Unweighing – The patient does not have to carry the weight of his or her own body. The therapist can adjust the unweighing system as the patient makes progress.
- Reduces fall risk – The system provides a safe way to increase strength and improve gait. Thus, it limits the risk of injury both during and after recovery.
- Improves posture – The system helps you to use proper posture while walking. This can improve the quality of a person’s gait.
- Enhances motor skills – You may be able to restore greater control over your movements as the training provides muscle memory.
- Faster recovery – This can be particularly beneficial for patients who are experiencing a slow and discouraging recovery from their illness or injury.
To go along with this, iAM ABLE offers an eBook entitled 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to Thrive after Paralysis. We encourage you to download it today because this book can be a valuable resource to help you stay motivated during an extended recovery program.
Grab our free e-book 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to THRIVE after Paralysis by clicking the image below.
