Asriel physiotherapy clinic, 4th mile, Diphupar, Dimapur Nagaland is introducing Body weight supported gait training to restore walking ability to Stroke patients and incomplete spinal cord injury. Restoring walking ability is one of the primary goals for neurological rehabilitation. Failure to walk is a serious long-term neurological disability. About one-third of individuals surviving an acute stroke Or incomplete spinal cord injury are unable to walk. Walking can be affected by residual impairments and disabilities including impaired balance, muscle stiffness, and decreased motor function. One method for retraining walking has been through partial body weight support (BWS) combined with treadmill training.
Body weight supported (BWS) treadmill training is a method for retraining walking. A person using BWS is supported by a harness that is suspended from a metal frame or from the ceiling. The harness and BWS provide support and reduce the weight on your feet while you walk on the treadmill. The amount of support can be gradually increased or decreased according to your particular needs.
Some people have difficulty walking after stroke Or incomplete spinal cord injury,BWS treadmill training may be a safe way to begin walking when you are not able to walk safely by yourself. BWS allows some people to start walking, especially if they currently require two people to help them walk over ground. It also allows some people to practice walking when they are not ready to do so over ground.
The best research studies on BWS and treadmill training have shown differing results depending on the severity of the walking deficit. In general, benefits have been found in people who have serious problems walking.
For those with serious walking deficits, a number of high quality research studies have shown that BWS treadmill training is more effective than usual walking training for improving speed of walking, endurance, balance, motor recovery, and functional walking.
BWS treadmill training is a fairly new treatment. You may be receiving rehabilitation in a setting that has the equipment and you may be offered this treatment. Many different harnesses have been designed to support the body. However, there are some aspects of this intervention that are common to all the equipment used:
You will wear a harness over your clothes.
The harness is then fastened to an overhead suspension system.
The therapist providing the therapy will decide on how much of your body weight is supported by the harness and how much is supported by your legs.
When the therapist adjusts the BWS it will feel like you are being lifted slightly off the floor.
The therapist will then start the treadmill at a very low speed. The therapist can then increase the speed as your walking ability improves.
There are no specific side effects of BWS treadmill training. In fact, research has shown that it is easier on your heart if you walk with your body weight supported – so it may be easier for you to practice walking using BWS as compared to walking over ground.
Generally, people who have used, feel more confident because they are supported by the harness and can practice walking without the risk of a fall.
BWS treadmill training is typically performed by a physical therapist. An assistant may be present to help you get ready by putting on your harness and staying with you during rest periods. This equipment is quite costly and it is quite a labor-intensive treatment.
If your gait has been seriously affected, BWS treadmill training could help you regain endurance, control of your lower limbs, and cardiovascular health.
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