Apparatus for dynamic balance training during treadmill walking

Author: Matjačić, Zlatko

Source: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, Volume 39, Number 1, January 2007 , pp. 91-94(4)

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Abstract:

Objective: A presentation of a novel apparatus for dynamic balance training during treadmill walking, which was tested in a case study.

Subject: The subject was a man with incomplete chronic spinal cord injury (C5), graded D on the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale.

Methods: Following a 6-month baseline period, 4 weeks of control treatment (treadmill walking) and a subsequent 4 weeks of experimental treatment (treadmill walking assisted by the apparatus) were compared. Outcome measures were Lower Extremities Motor Score, Berg Balance Scale, 10-metre walking test and 9-minute walking test.

Results: During the baseline period the changes in the outcome measures were small. After the control treatment the balance score remained unchanged, while walking speed and walking endurance increased moderately. Experimental treatment resulted in further substantial changes in balance and walking endurance scores, while further increase in walking speed was moderate. At follow-up these values were maintained. Lower Extremities Motor Scores were almost identical in all study phases.

Conclusion: The subject's walking and balancing abilities improved moderately after the control treatment, while greater improvement occurred during experimental treatment. This indicates that the apparatus developed might be an important tool for facilitating dynamic balancing training during treadmill walking.

Keywords: POSTURE; GAIT; REHABILITATION; SENSORY-MOTOR RELEARNING

Document Type: Case report

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2340/16501977-0019

Publication date: 2007-01-01

More about this publication?

Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine is the international peer-reviewed journal published in English, with at least 10 issues published per year.

Original articles, reviews, case reports, short communications, special reports and letters to the editor are published, as also are editorials and book reviews. The journal strives to provide its readers with a variety of topics including: functional assessment and intervention studies, clinical studies in various patient groups, methodology in physical and rehabilitation medicine, epidemiological studies on disabling conditions and reports on vocational and sociomedical aspects of rehabilitation.

The journal is read by a wide group of healthcare professionals including specialists in rehabilitation medicine, neurology, clinical neurophysiology, general medicine, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and social workers.

Contributions from all parts of the world and from different professions in rehabilitation are welcome.

ISI Impact Factor 2009: 1.882.

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Apparatus for dynamic balance training during treadmill walking

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