Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Feasibility And Outcomes Of Supplemental Gait Training By Robotic And Conventional Means In Acute Stroke Rehabilitation, Mukul Talaty, Alberto Esquenazi

Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Papers

INTRODUCTION: Practicality of implementation and dosing of supplemental gait training in an acute stroke inpatient rehabilitation setting are not well studied but can have positive impact on outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of early, intense supplemental gait training in inpatient stroke rehabilitation, compare functional outcomes and the specific mode of delivery.

DESIGN AND SETTING: Assessor blinded, randomized controlled trial in a tertiary Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility.

PARTICIPANTS: Thirty acute post-stroke patients with unilateral hemiparesis (≥ 18 years of age with a lower limb MAS ≤ 3).

INTERVENTION: Lokomat® or conventional gait training (CGT) in addition to standard mandated therapy time. …

Association Between Measures Of Cognitive Function On Physical Function In Novice Users Of A Lower Limb Prosthesis, Humberto Omana, Courtney Frengopoulos, Manuel Montero-Odasso, Michael W. Payne, Ricardo Viana, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is prevalent in people with lower limb amputations (PLLA) and is associated with adverse outcomes, such as falls and worse rehabilitation outcomes. Physical function tests are essential to examine abilities; however, no research in PLLA has clarified the magnitude of cognitive demands amongst available tests in users novice at walking with a prosthesis.

METHODS: People from inpatient prosthetic rehabilitation were recruited. Inclusion criteria were: age ≥ 50 years, unilateral transtibial amputation and able to walk independently. Gait velocity and the L Test under single-task (usual) and dual-task (walking while counting backwards) conditions assessed functional mobility. The Four …

Premotor And Posterior Parietal Cortex Activity Is Increased For Slow, As Well As Fast Walking Poststroke: An Fnirs Study, Shannon B Lim, Sue Peters, Chieh-Ling Yang, Lara A Boyd, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Janice J Eng

Physical Therapy Publications

Background and Purpose. The ability to change gait speeds is important for interacting with the surrounding environment. Gait speed modulation poststroke is often impaired and is related to decreased walking independence after stroke. Assessment of brain activation during walking at different speeds can provide insight into important regions for facilitating gait recovery. The purpose is to determine: (1) the symmetry of brain activation as individuals increase or decrease their gait speed, (2) the activation levels in frontal to parietal brain regions during walking at different speeds, and (3) the relationship between an individual’s stroke impairment or their ability to modulate …

Implementation Of Increased Physical Therapy Intensity For Improving Walking After Stroke: Walk 'N Watch Protocol For A Multisite Stepped-Wedge Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial, Sue Peters, Shannon B Lim, Mark T Bayley, Krista Best, Louise A Connell, Hélène Corriveau, Sarah J Donkers, Sean P Dukelow, Tara D Klassen, Marie-Hélène Milot, Brodie M Sakakibara, Lisa Sheehy, Hubert Wong, Jennifer Yao, Janice J Eng

Physical Therapy Publications

RATIONALE: Clinical practice guidelines support structured, progressive protocols for improving walking after stroke. Yet, practice is slow to change, evidenced by the little amount of walking activity in stroke rehabilitation units. Our recent study (n = 75) found that a structured, progressive protocol integrated with typical daily physical therapy improved walking and quality-of-life measures over usual care. Research therapists progressed the intensity of exercise by using heart rate and step counters worn by the participants with stroke during therapy. To have the greatest impact, our next step is to undertake an implementation trial to change practice across stroke units where …

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Of Overground Robotic Training Versus Conventional Locomotor Training In People With Spinal Cord Injury, Daniel Pinto, Allen W. Heinemann, Shuo-Hsiu Chang, Susan Charlifue, Edelle C. Field-Fote, Catherine L. Furbish, Arun Jayaraman, Candy Tefertiller, Heather B. Taylor, Dustin D. French

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Few, if any estimates of cost-effectiveness for locomotor training strategies following spinal cord injury (SCI) are available. The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of locomotor training strategies following spinal cord injury (overground robotic locomotor training versus conventional locomotor training) by injury status (complete versus incomplete) using a practice-based cohort.

Methods

A probabilistic cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using a prospective, practice-based cohort from four participating Spinal Cord Injury Model System sites. Conventional locomotor training strategies (conventional training) were compared to overground robotic locomotor training (overground robotic training). Conventional locomotor training included treadmill-based training with body weight …

Higher Intensity Walking Improves Global Cognition During Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Secondary Analysis Of A Randomized Control Trial, Sue Peters, Keith R Lohse, Tara D Klassen, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Sean P Dukelow, Mark T Bayley, Michael D Hill, Sepideh Pooyania, Jennifer Yao, Janice J Eng

Physical Therapy Publications

Cognitive deficits are common poststroke. Cognitive rehabilitation is typically used to improve cognitive deficits. It is unknown whether higher doses of exercise to promote motor recovery influence cognitive outcomes. Our recent trial, Determining Optimal Post-Stroke Exercise (DOSE), shows more than double the steps and aerobic minutes can be achieved during inpatient rehabilitation versus usual care, and translates to improved long-term walking outcomes. Thus, the secondary analysis aim was to determine the effect of the DOSE protocol on cognitive outcomes over 1-year poststroke. The DOSE protocol progressively increased step number and aerobic minutes during inpatient stroke rehabilitation over 20 sessions. The …

The Effects On Gait Of 4-Wheeled Walker Use In People With Alzheimer's Disease Dementia And Gait Impairment: A Pilot Study, Humberto Omaña, Edward Madou, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

In people with dementia, provision of mobility aids is standard treatment for those with impaired gait. However, mobility aid use is independently associated with increased falls risk. In this short communication, gait velocity and stride time variability were recorded in eleven adults with Alzheimer's disease dementia. Three conditions were tested: single-task (no aid), walking with a walker, and dual-task (walker use and counting backwards) under both a straight path and Figure-of-8 walking configuration. Gait velocity increased when using a walker compared to no aid in the Figure-of-8 walking configuration. Walker use improved gait in simple walking, but benefits diminished upon …

Classifying Toe Walking Gait Patterns Among Children Diagnosed With Idiopathic Toe Walking Using Wearable Sensors And Machine Learning Algorithms, Rahul Soangra, Yuxin Wen, Hualin Yang, Marybeth Grant-Beuttler

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Idiopathic toe walking (ITW) is a gait abnormality in which children’s toes touch at initial contact and demonstrate limited or no heel contact throughout the gait cycle. Toe walking results in poor balance, increased risk of falling, and developmental delays among children. Identifying toe walking steps during walking can facilitate targeted intervention among children diagnosed with ITW. With recent advances in wearable sensing, communication technologies, and machine learning, new avenues of managing toe walking behavior among children are feasible. In this study, we investigate the capabilities of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms in identifying initial foot contact (heel strike versus toe …

Identifying Gait Pathology After Acl Reconstruction Using Temporal Characteristics Of Kinetics And Electromyography, Naoaki Ito, Jacob J. Capin, Ashutosh Khandha, Thomas S. Buchanan, Lynn Snyder-Mackler

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

Asymmetrical gait mechanics after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are associated with the development of posttraumatic knee osteoarthritis. Current measures of gait mechanics have focused heavily on peak magnitudes of knee kinematics, kinetics, and joint contact forces but have seldom considered the rate of knee loading, cumulative knee load, or the timing of motor input surrounding peaks. The purpose of this study was to introduce and describe novel metrics of gait using temporal characteristics of kinetics and EMG to identify neuromuscular deficits of the quadriceps in patients after ACLR.

Methods

Gait mechanics were assessed 6 months (n = …

General Variability Leads To Specific Adaptation Toward Energy Optimal Policies, Sabrina J. Abram, Katherine L. Poggensee, Natalia Sánchez, Surabhi N. Simha, James M. Finley, Steven H. Collins, J. Maxwell Donelan

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Our nervous systems can learn optimal control policies in response to changes to our bodies, tasks, and movement contexts. For example, humans can learn to adapt their control policy in walking contexts where the energy-optimal policy is shifted along variables such as step frequency or step width. However, it is unclear how the nervous system determines which ways to adapt its control policy. Here, we asked how human participants explore through variations in their control policy to identify more optimal policies in new contexts. We created new contexts using exoskeletons that apply assistive torques to each ankle at each walking …

Predicting Duration Of Outpatient Physical Therapy Episodes For Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury Based On Locomotor Training Strategy, Mauricio Garnier-Villarreal, Daniel Pinto, Chaithanya K. Mummidisetty, Arun Jayaraman, Candy Tefertiller, Susan Charlifue, Heather B. Tayler, Shuo-Hsiu Chang, Nicholas Mccombs, Catherine L. Furbish, Edelle C. Field-Fote, Allen W. Heinemann

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

To characterize individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) who use outpatient physical therapy or community wellness services for locomotor training and predict the duration of services, controlling for demographic, injury, quality of life, and service and financial characteristics. We explore how the duration of services is related to locomotor strategy.

Design

Observational study of participants at 4 SCI Model Systems centers with survival. Weibull regression model to predict the duration of services.

Setting

Rehabilitation and community wellness facilities at 4 SCI Model Systems centers.

Participants

Eligibility criteria were SCI or dysfunction resulting in motor impairment and the use of …

Developing Peri-Operative Rehabilitation In Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy [Ao Spine Recode-Dcm Research Priority Number 6]: An Unexplored Opportunity?, Timothy F. Boerger, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Julio C. Furlan, Sukhvinder Klasi-Ryan, Armin Curt, Brian K. Kwon, Shekar N. Kurpad, Michael G. Fehlings, James S. Harrop, Bizhan Aarabi, Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar, James D. Guest, Jefferson R. Wilson, Benjamin M. Davies, Mark R. N. Kotter, Paul A. Koljonen

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Study Design

Narrative review.

Objective

Degenerative cervical myelopathy is one of the most frequent impairments of the spinal cord encountered internationally in adults. Currently, surgical decompression is the recommended treatment for people with DCM (PwCM) presenting with moderate to severe symptoms or neurological deficits. However, despite surgical intervention, not all patients make a complete recovery due to the irreversible tissue damage within the spinal cord. The objective of this review is to describe the state and gaps in the current literature on rehabilitation for PwCM and possible innovative rehabilitation strategies.

Methods

Literature search.

Results

In other neurological disorders such as …

Perceived Exercise Habits Of Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease Living In The Community, Jordana Lockwich, Kate Schwartzkopf-Phifer, Camille L. Skubik-Peplaski, Richard D. Andreatta, Patrick H. Kitzman

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Publications

Context

Exercise has been shown to improve gait in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Stepping practice at higher intensity levels has been suggested as a beneficial treatment option to improve gait in the neurological population. Unfortunately, this mode is poorly understood and underutilized within the PD population. Information on what individuals with PD are doing for exercise would be beneficial to help tailor exercise programs to improve gait and provide exercise options in the community for intensity-based exercise.

Objective

To investigate the current exercise habits of individuals living with PD in the community aimed at improving walking and to understand …

The Effect Of Dual-Task Testing On The Balance And Gait Of People With Lower Limb Amputations: A Systematic Review, Humberto Omana, Edward Madou, Manuel Montero-Odasso, Michael W. Payne, Ricardo Viana, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature on the effect of dual-task testing on the balance and gait of people with lower limb amputations (PLLA).

LITERATURE SURVEY: Databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched in duplicate (inception to December 1, 2020).

METHODOLOGY: Inclusion criteria: participants were adults with transtibial, knee-disarticulation, transfemoral, or bilateral lower limb amputations; balance or gait was paired with a secondary task; and studies were peer-reviewed and published in English. Two authors independently reviewed articles and consensus was required. A standardized data extraction sheet was used to gather study relevant information in duplicate. …

Functional Reach Test, Single-Leg Stance Test, And Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment For The Prediction Of Falls In Older Adults: A Systematic Review, Humberto Omaña, Kari Bezaire, Kyla Brady, Jayme Davies, Nancy Louwagie, Sean Power, Sydney Santin, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to systematically review the existing literature on the falls-related diagnostic test properties of the Functional Reach Test (FRT), single-leg stance test (SLST), and Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) in older adults across settings and patient populations.

METHODS: The PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases were searched (inception-July 2020). Inclusion criteria were participants aged 60 years or more, prospectively recorded falls, and the reporting of falls-related predictive validity. Manuscripts not published in English were excluded. Methodological quality of reporting was assessed using the Tooth Scale.

RESULTS: Of 1071 studies reviewed, 21 met the inclusion criteria (12 POMA, 8 …

Mobile Phone Sensors Can Discern Medication-Related Gait Quality Changes In Parkinson's Patients In The Home Environment, Albert Pierce, Niklas König Ignasiak, Wilford K. Eiteman-Pang, Cyril Rakovski, Vincent Berardi

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) experience daytime symptom fluctuations, which result in small amplitude, slow and unstable walking during times when medication attenuates. The ability to identify dysfunctional gait patterns throughout the day from raw mobile phone acceleration and gyroscope signals would allow the development of applications to provide real-time interventions to facilitate walking performance by, for example, providing external rhythmic cues. Patients (n = 20, mean Hoehn and Yahr: 2.25) had their ambulatory data recorded and were directly observed twice during one day: once after medication abstention, (OFF) and once approximately 30 min after intake of their medication …

The Effect Of First-Time 4-Wheeled Walker Use On The Gait Of Younger And Older Adults, Humberto A. Omana, Edward Madou, Alison Divine, Walter Wittich, Keith D. Hill, Andrew M. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Holmes, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

INTRODUCTION: The 4-wheeled walker is intended to enhance balance and gait for older adults. Yet, some research suggests that walking aids increase falls risk. An understanding of the influence of age with walker use on gait performance is required.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of initial 4-wheeled walker use on spatiotemporal gait parameters between younger and older adults.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional, repeated-measures.

SETTING: Community-dwelling.

PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five younger (age: 26.5 ± 4.1 years) and 24 older (age: 68.5 ± 10.5 years) adults participated. Younger adults were aged 18 to 35 years, whereas older adults were 50 years or older. Included were people …

Different Biomechanical Variables Explain Within-Subjects Versus Between-Subjects Variance In Step Length Asymmetry Post-Stroke, Natalia Sánchez, Nicolas Schweighofer, James M. Finley

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Step length asymmetry (SLA) is common in most stroke survivors. Several studies have shown that factors such as paretic propulsion can explain between-subjects differences in SLA. However, whether the factors that account for between-subjects variance in SLA are consistent with those that account for within subjects, stride-by-stride variance in SLA has not been determined. SLA direction is heterogeneous, and different impairments likely contribute to differences in SLA direction. Here, we identified common predictors between-subjects that explain within-subjects variance in SLA using sparse partial least squares regression (sPLSR). We determined whether the SLA predictors differ based on SLA direction and whether …

Using Biofeedback To Reduce Spatiotemporal Asymmetry Impairs Dynamic Balance In People Post-Stroke, Sungwoo Park, Chang Liu, Natalia Sánchez, Julie K. Tilson, Sara J. Mulroy, James M. Finley

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background. People poststroke often walk with a spatiotemporally asymmetric gait, due in part to sensorimotor impairments in the paretic lower extremity. Although reducing asymmetry is a common objective of rehabilitation, the effects of improving symmetry on balance are yet to be determined. Objective. We established the concurrent validity of whole-body angular momentum as a measure of balance, and we determined if reducing step length asymmetry would improve balance by decreasing whole-body angular momentum. Methods. We performed clinical balance assessments and measured wholebody angular momentum during walking using a full-body marker set in a sample of 36 people with …

Gait And Balance Changes With Investigational Peripheral Nerve Cell Therapy During Deep Brain Stimulation In People With Parkinson’S Disease, Geetanjali Gera, Zain Guduru, Tritia R. Yamasaki, Julie A. Gurwell, Monica Chau, Anna Krotinger, Frederick A. Schmitt, John T. Slevin, Greg A. Gerhardt, Craig G. Van Horne, Jorge E. Quintero

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Background: The efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) and dopaminergic therapy is known to decrease over time. Hence, a new investigational approach combines implanting autologous injury-activated peripheral nerve grafts (APNG) at the time of bilateral DBS surgery to the globus pallidus interna. Objectives: In a study where APNG was unilaterally implanted into the substantia nigra, we explored the effects on clinical gait and balance assessments over two years in 14 individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Methods: Computerized gait and balance evaluations were performed without medication, and stimulation was in the off state for at least 12 h to best assess the …

Slow Walking In Individuals With Chronic Post-Stroke Hemiparesis: Speed Mediated Effects Of Gait Kinetics And Ankle Kinematics, Jing Nong Liang, Kai-Yu Ho, Yun-Ju Lee, Corey Ackley, Kiley Aki, Joshua Arias, Jassie Trinh

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Post-stroke rehabilitation often aims to increase walking speeds, as faster walking is associated with improved functional status and quality of life. However, for successful community ambulation, ability to modulate (increase and decrease) walking speeds is more important than walking continuously at constant speeds. Increasing paretic propulsive forces to increase walking speed has been extensively examined; however, little is known about the mechanics of slow walking post-stroke. The primary purpose of this study was to identify the effects of increased and decreased walking speeds on post-stroke kinetics and ankle kinematics. Fifteen individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis and 15 non-neurologically impaired controls …

Beauty That Moves: Dance For Parkinson’S Effects On Affect, Self-Efficacy, Gait Symmetry, And Dual Task Performance, Cecilia Fontanesi, Joseph F. X. Desouza

Publications and Research

Background: Previous studies have investigated the effects of dance interventions on Parkinson’s motor and non-motor symptoms in an effort to develop an integrated view of dance as a therapeutic intervention. This within-subject study questions whether dance can be simply considered a form of exercise by comparing a Dance for Parkinson’s class with a matched-intensity exercise session lacking dance elements like music, metaphorical language, and social reality of art-partaking.

Methods: In this repeated-measure design, 7 adults with Parkinson’s were tested four times; (i) before and (ii) after a Dance for Parkinson’s class, as well as (iii) before and (iv) after a …

The Effect Of Dual-Task Testing On Balance And Gait Performance In Adults With Type 1 Or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review, Humberto Omana, Edward Madou, Manuel Montero-Odasso, Michael Payne, Ricardo Viana, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND: Individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) are susceptible to balance, gait and cognitive impairments. Importantly, diabetes affects executive function, a set of cognitive processes critical to everyday cortical function and mobility. Reduced executive function is a risk factor for falls in people with DM. Dual-task testing, the completion of two tasks at once, enables the examination of the cognitive-mobility relationship. A synthesis of the literature on the effects of dual- task testing on the balance and gait of individuals with DM has not been performed.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature on the effect of dual-task testing on balance and …

Neuromuscular Response To A Single Session Of Whole-Body Vibration In Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study, Huaqing (Virginia) Liang, Gena Henderson, Jianhua Wu

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Background Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a relative new intervention paradigm that could reduce spasticity and improve motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). We investigated neuromuscular response to a single session of side-alternating WBV with different amplitudes in children with CP.

Methods Ten children with spastic CP aged 7–17 years at GMFCS level I-III participated in this pilot study. Participants received two sessions of side-alternating WBV with the same frequency (20 Hz) but different amplitudes (low-amplitude: 1 mm and high-amplitude: 2 mm). Each session included six sets of 90 s of WBV and 90 s of rest. Before and …

Effects Of Visual Referencing On Backward And Forward Treadmill Walking In Vr Environments, Rahul Soangra, Sivakumar Rajagopal

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Backward walking is used increasingly as a rehabilitation exercise for stroke and diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients to improve strength and balance. However, it is unclear how visual referencing affects backward and forward walking. In this study, we evaluated spatiotemporal gait characteristics changes due to visual referencing while backward/forward walking. Sixteen healthy young participants were recruited in this study. All participants walked for 2 min with and without visual referencing in the virtual reality environment. While walking backward participants faced the virtual reality screen similar to forward walking, but their treadmill belt direction of movement was reversed. All participants walked at …

A Consensus Guide To Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy In Posture And Gait Research, Jasmine C. Menant, Inbal Maidan, Lisa Alcock, Emad Al-Yahya, Antonio Cerasa, David J. Clark, Eling D. De Bruin, Sarah Fraser, Vera Gramigna, Dennis Hamacher, Fabian Herold, Roee Holtzer, Meltem Izzetoglu, Shannon Lim, Annette Pantall, Paulo Pelicioni, Sue Peters, Andrea L. Rosso, Rebecca St George, Samuel Stuart, Roberta Vasta, Rodrigo Vitorio, Anat Mirelman

Physical Therapy Publications

Background: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is increasingly used in the field of posture and gait to investigate patterns of cortical brain activation while people move freely. fNIRS methods, analysis and reporting of data vary greatly across studies which in turn can limit the replication of research, interpretation of findings and comparison across works.

Research question and methods: Considering these issues, we propose a set of practical recommendations for the conduct and reporting of fNIRS studies in posture and gait, acknowledging specific challenges related to clinical groups with posture and gait disorders.

Results: Our paper is organized around three main sections: …

Effect Of Motor-Assisted Elliptical Training Speed And Body Weight Support On Center Of Pressure Movement Variability, Farahnaz Fallahtafti, Chase M. Pfeifer, Thad W. Buster, Judith M. Burnfield

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Background: A motor-assisted elliptical trainer is being used clinically to help individuals with physical disabilities regain and/or retain walking ability and cardiorespiratory fitness. Unknown is how the device’s training parameters can be used to optimize movement variability and regularity. This study examined the effect of motor-assisted elliptical training speed as well as body weight support (BWS) on center of pressure (CoP) movement variability and regularity during training. Methods: CoP was recorded using in-shoe pressure insoles as participants motor-assisted elliptical trained at three speeds (20, 40, and 60 cycles per minute) each performed at four BWS levels (0%, 20%, 40%, and …

Passive, Yet Not Inactive: Robotic Exoskeleton Walking Increases Cortical Activation Dependent On Task, Sue Peters, Shannon B. Lim, Dennis R. Louie, Chieh-Ling Yang, Janice J. Eng

Physical Therapy Publications

Background

Experimental designs using surrogate gait-like movements, such as in functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cannot fully capture the cortical activation associated with overground gait. Overground gait in a robotic exoskeleton may be an ideal tool to generate controlled sensorimotor stimulation of gait conditions like ‘active’ (i.e. user moves with the device) and ‘passive’ (i.e. user is moved by the device) gait. To truly understand these neural mechanisms, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) would yield greater ecological validity. Thus, the aim of this experiment was to use fNIRS to delineate brain activation differences between ‘Active’ and ‘Passive’ overground gait …

Mediolateral Damping Of An Overhead Body Weight Support System Assists Stability During Treadmill Walking, M. Bannwart, S. L. Bayer, Niklas König Ignasiak, M. Bolliger, G. Rauter, C. A. Easthope

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Body weight support systems with three or more degrees of freedom (3-DoF) are permissive and safe environments that provide unloading and allow unrestricted movement in any direction. This enables training of walking and balance control at an early stage in rehabilitation. Transparent systems generate a support force vector that is near vertical at all positions in the workspace to only minimally interfere with natural movement patterns. Patients with impaired balance, however, may benefit from additional mediolateral support that can be adjusted according to their capacity. An elegant solution for providing balance support might be by rendering viscous damping along …

Reliable And Valid Measures For The Clinical Assessment Of Balance And Gait In Older Adults With Dementia: A Systematic Review, Jacqueline Baker, Danielle De Laat, Emily Kruger, Sarah Mcrae, Sabrina Trung, Carly Zottola, Humberto Omana, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

No abstract provided.