1. What Is Gait Rehabilitation Equipment?
Gait rehabilitation equipment allows patients to train walking and mobility with additional support.
Patients use gait rehabilitation equipment to practice standing, stepping movements, weight shifts, and walking.
Patients who have experienced neurological or orthopedic conditions may require help with regaining normal walking ability.
Stroke can impact patients’ strength, coordination, and walking capability.
Spinal cord injury can also cause issues with strength and control of the lower limbs.
Aging can cause patients to lose strength, stability, and confidence while walking.
Gait rehabilitation equipment can help patients safely work on structured mobility recovery.
Providing adjustable support and customizable training environments allows for controlled and repeatable gait training sessions.
Treadmills allow therapists to provide consistent walking practice for their patients.
Body weight support helps patients perform walking movements while reducing loading on the lower limbs.
Robotic therapy systems allow for controlled movement assistance to be applied during training.
2. Why Gait Rehabilitation Equipment Is Important
Walking is a complex movement that requires several body systems to work together.
First, the legs must provide enough force to support the body’s weight.
The trunk must also remain stable throughout movement.
The nervous system must organize movement patterns in a coordinated manner.
Patients must also balance continuously while walking.
When these systems do not work together properly, patients experience difficulty walking.
Traditional gait rehabilitation starts with therapist-led exercises.
Patients can benefit from gait rehabilitation equipment to supplement therapy sessions.
Certain equipment can provide additional repetitive movement practice.
Some systems can provide adjustable levels of assistance to patients.
Therapists can also use systems that track patient performance to gather objective data.
3. Types of Gait Rehabilitation Equipment
Clinics have many different levels of mobility impairments among their patients.
Clinics use different types of gait rehabilitation equipment to accommodate patients’ needs.
Below is a list of different gait rehabilitation equipment types:
Gait Training Systems Gait Rehabilitation Treadmills
Body Weight Support Systems Robotic Gait Trainers
Lower Limb Rehabilitation Robots Overground Gait Trainers
Parallel Bars Walking Rehabilitation Equipment
4. Gait Training Treadmills
Patients can practice walking with adjustable support on gait rehabilitation treadmills.
therapists can set the treadmill to move at a slow, consistent speed.
This allows patients to focus on producing controlled walking movements.
Practicing ambulation on a treadmill also allows patients to perform repetitive stepping.
The controlled environment of a treadmill allows patients to practice the same gait cycle over and over.
Some treadmill systems offer integration with body weight support systems.
Combining a treadmill with body weight support allows patients to practice walking with decreased loading on their legs.
Important Features of a Gait Rehabilitation Treadmill
If you are looking for a treadmill to use during gait rehabilitation, look for:
- Ability to adjust walking speed
- Safety handles for patient support
- Emergency stop switch
- Compatibility with harness body weight support systems
- Wide treadmill belt
- Ease of use
- Patient monitoring ports
Consider what therapy workflow you hope to implement and find a treadmill that supports that training.
5. Body Weight Support Gait Rehabilitation Equipment
Reducing weight-bearing load on patients’ legs is one of the most beneficial technologies in physical therapy.
Body weight support allows therapists to support a percentage of patients’ body weight with a harness.
This technology allows patients to practice walking while reducing the amount of weight placed on their legs.
Benefits of Body Weight Support
Patients who have significant weakness or mobility limitations can benefit from body weight support.
Some patients may also simply require additional assistance while practicing walking movements.
How Body Weight Support Devices Work
Patients wear a harness that is connected to a support system.
The support system will pull upwards on the harness.
Patients will feel as if some of their weight has been lifted.
Therapists can set how much weight will be supported by the system.
As patients progress in their training, therapists can increase the amount of body weight they support.
Body weight support can be adjusted to fit the needs of progressing patients.
Uses for Body Weight Support
Body weight support systems are commonly used for:
- Stroke gait rehabilitation
- Neurological recovery
- Elderly patients relearning how to walk
- Lower limb strength and coordination
- Walking rehabilitation
Keep in mind that every patient is different, and therapists must decide if patients can use body weight support.
Body Weight Support Gait Training
6. Robotic Gait Rehabilitation Equipment
Robotics has started to play a vital role in rehabilitation therapy.
Robotic therapy allows for controlled movement assistance to be applied to patients’ lower limbs.
This technology allows patients to practice controlled and repetitive movement patterns.
A robotic gait trainer can support particular types of movement.
Robotics can assist in repetitive stepping movements.
Therapists can set the amount of assistance provided by robotic devices.
Robotic assistance can be progressively reduced as patient performance improves.
Uses of Robotic Therapy
Robotic assistance provides consistent movement every time.
Therapists can customize the amount of assistance provided to suit each patient.
Robotic devices can force patients to move their legs in a certain way.
Monitoring patient progress is important to ensure that they are on track to reaching their goals.
Some robotic therapy systems can record performance metrics during training.
Lower Limb Rehabilitation Robot
7. Overground Gait Rehabilitation Equipment
Gait training does not always have to be conducted on a treadmill.
Walking overground allows patients to practice walking across a regular floor.
Some benefits of overground training include the following:
Patients can practice more functional movements during overground training.
Below is a list of different overground gait training equipment:
- Parallel Bars
- Gait Trainers
- Walking Frames
- Mobile Body Weight Support Systems
- Body Weight Support Systems
Walking with Parallel Bars
Parallel bars are poles that are secured to the floor.
Parallel bars allow patients to support themselves while standing and stepping.
Walking with a Gait Trainer
Gait Trainers are frames that patients hold onto while they walk.
Patients who lack mobility can practice walking with the assistance of a gait trainer.
Mobile Body Weight Support
.Mobile body weight support allows patients to receive support while they walk on the floor.
Body weight support can be used in conjunction with overground walking.
8. Gait Rehabilitation Equipment for Different Patients
Stroke patients, elderly patients, and many other patient groups require gait training.
Every patient group can benefit from practicing walking differently.
8.1 Gait Rehabilitation After Stroke
Stroke impacts coordination, strength, and balance.
Victims of stroke often need to undergo gait rehabilitation to relearn how to walk.
Treadmills allow patients to practice repetitive walking movements.
Body weight support can assist patients with standing and walking movements.
Robotic devices can help patients practice leg movements.
Gait Rehabilitation After Stroke
8.2 Walking Rehabilitation for Elderly Patients
Loss of strength and balance is common as people age.
Walking rehabilitation for the elderly should be aimed at restoring function.
Gait trainers and body weight support systems allow for customized weight bearing progressions.
Balance Rehabilitation for Elderly Patients
8.3 Spinal Cord Injury Gait Training
Damage to the spinal cord can affect patients’ motor and sensory function.
Spinal cord injuries can significantly impact patients’ ability to walk.
Clinicians can use body weight support to assist patients with walking after injury.
Robotics can also provide leg movement assistance to spinal cord injury patients.
8.4 Parkinson’s Disease Rehabilitation
Parkinson’s disease can affect patients’ ability to walk and stabilize themselves.
Parkinson’s patients may benefit from gait training that focuses on mobility and posture.
Robotic devices with interactive components can encourage patients to move.
8.5 Orthopedic Gait Rehabilitation
Many injuries can affect a patient’s ability to walk properly.
Patients who injure their legs will likely need to undergo progressive weight bearing exercises.
Progressive weight bearing can start with patients sitting and gradually standing on a treadmill.
9 Benefits of Gait Rehabilitation Equipment
9.1 Controlled Walking Practice
Equipment provides a controlled training environment.
As a result, therapists can customize walking conditions to their preferences.
9.2 Repetitive Training
Patients can take repeated steps using rehabilitation equipment.
As a result, patients can practice walking over and over.
9.3 Adjustable Assistance
Some systems offer adjustable body weight support or robotic assistance.
As a result, therapists can modify the amount of assistance provided based on patient ability.
9.4 Additional Safety
Body weight support and support systems can offer patients additional stability during training.
As a result, able patients can practice walking under closely supervised conditions.
9.5 Progressive Rehabilitation
Training conditions can progress or regress throughout the course of therapy.
For instance, therapists can slowly decrease how much body weight support is provided.
Therapists can lengthen how long patients walk.
As a result, gait training equipment can accommodate many stages of rehabilitation.
9.6 Objective Performance Data
Many advanced systems allow clinicians to record training data.
As a result, therapists can monitor certain aspects of a patient’s performance.
This can supplement clinical feedback and observation.
10 How Gait Rehabilitation Equipment Works
Gait rehabilitation often occurs in a progression.
Step 1: Assess Walking Ability
First, therapists assess patients’ walking abilities.
This can include:
- Balance
- Lower limb strength
- Coordination
- Walking speed
- Postural control
- Functional mobility
As a result, therapists can determine what equipment would best suit patients’ needs.
Step 2: Select Equipment
Therapists will then decide on what equipment to use.
For instance, one patient may require the use of body weight support.
Another patient’s therapy may be conducted using an overground gait trainer.
As a result, therapists should always individualize equipment selection.
Step 3: Begin Training
Patients can begin training with the proper support.
Therapists can observe a patient’s movement throughout the therapy session.
As a result, training becomes a controlled experience.
Step 4: Increase Training Difficulty
Therapists can gradually adjust training difficulty over time.
Adjustments can include:
Decreasing provided support
Increasing walking duration
Manipulating speed
As a result, patients can progress at a gradual pace.
Step 5: Practice Functional Walking
Eventually, patients will progress to more functional walking practices.
Training can become more specific, including:
- Starting and stopping
- Turning
- Changing directions
- Obstacle negotiation
As a result, patients can work towards functional mobility goals.
11 How to Choose Gait Rehabilitation Equipment
Several considerations go into choosing proper rehabilitation equipment.
Patient Population
Clinics should first identify who they commonly serve.
These populations can include:
- Stroke survivors
- Elderly individuals
- Neurological patients
- Spinal cord injury patients
- Orthopedic injury patients
As a result, therapists should purchase equipment that will benefit the clinic’s patient population.
Rehabilitation Goals
Therapists should identify common rehabilitation goals.
These goals can include:
- Walking initiation
- Balance
- Weight-bearing ability
- Gait patterning
- Lower limb strengthening
- Walking endurance
As a result, clinics should purchase equipment that can accommodate their patients’ goals.
Safety
Safety should always be considered when purchasing equipment.
Clinics should look for:
- Harness systems
- Handrails
- Emergency stop functions
- Adjustability options
As a result, therapists ensure they can safely control training conditions.
Adjustability
Every patient’s functional ability is different.
As a result, clinics should look for equipment that is adjustable.
Body weight support, walking speed, and training intensity are some examples.
Space Requirements
Equipment size should also be considered.
Treadmill systems require a preset space.
Contrarily, overground systems may require more open floor areas.
As a result, clinics should always measure their space before investing in equipment.
Technical Support
All equipment requires some assembly and training.
As a result, technicians should always be available to support your practice.
12 Gait Rehabilitation Technology Trends
Gait rehabilitation technology is always advancing.
There are currently many trends influencing modern day rehabilitation.
Intelligent Movement Analysis
Software allows clinicians to collect movement data.
As a result, therapists can evaluate patients’ movement patterns.
Artificial Intelligence
AI will allow software to examine movement data.
As a result, intelligent software will allow for more personalized rehabilitation.
This technology should always be used to assist, not replace, professional clinical decision making.
Robotic Rehabilitation
Robotic devices allow for controlled lower limb movement.
As a result, patients can perform repetitive gait training with additional assistance.
Interactive Rehabilitation
Interfaces that are interactive can increase patient participation.
As a result, patients will be more excited to complete their rehabilitation exercises.
Integrated Rehabilitation Systems
Different types of technologies can be integrated to form a complete rehabilitation system.
For example, one program may include:
- Balance assessment
- Gait assessment
- Body weight supported treadmill training
- Robotic assisted training
- Digital performance monitoring
As a result, technology allows clinicians to control every stage of a patient’s rehabilitation.
13 Why Choose Jamore Medical?
Jamore Medical sells rehabilitation equipment to hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, and physical therapy clinics.
The company specializes in mobility recovery and intelligent rehabilitation technology.
Products include:
- Gait Training System
- Body Weight Support Treadmill System
- Lower Limb Rehabilitation Robot
- Robotic Gait Rehabilitation Equipment
- Walking Rehabilitation Equipment
- Balance Rehabilitation Equipment
- Balance Training Systems
- Balance Assessment Equipment
- Active and Passive Limb Trainer
- Medical Physical Therapy Equipment
As a result, rehabilitation clinics have several options when picking the right solutions for their facilities.
Clinics can use gait training equipment with body weight support systems.
Clinics can also look into robotic assisted technology if they have the space.
Jamore Medical has products that can be used for different stages of mobility rehabilitation.
Visit www.jamoremedical.com for more information.
14 Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is gait rehabilitation equipment?
A: Gait rehabilitation equipment refers to devices that allow clinicians to administer gait training.
This can include treadmills, gait trainers, body weight support systems, and robotic devices.
Q2: What is the best gait rehabilitation equipment?
A: Every patient has unique needs.
As a result, there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to gait rehabilitation equipment.
Q3: Can gait rehabilitation equipment help my stroke patient?
A: Yes! Many pieces of equipment can be used to administer structured gait training after stroke.
Q4: What is a body weight support gait system?
A: Body weight support treadmills support part of a patient’s body weight with the use of a harness.
As a result, patients can practice walking without having to support their entire body weight with their lower limbs.
Q5: What is robotic gait rehabilitation?
A: Robotic gait rehabilitation utilizes robotic assistance to help patients move their legs.
As a result, patients can perform repetitive gait exercises with consistent leg movement.
Q6: Can elderly patients use gait rehabilitation equipment?
A: Yes. Gait rehabilitation equipment can be used for older adults.
As always, equipment should be selected by a trained medical professional.
Q7: What is the difference between gait training equipment and gait rehabilitation equipment?
A: While the terms can be used interchangeably, we find that gait training equipment is more specific to equipment that allows patients to practice walking.
Gait rehabilitation equipment can include any piece of equipment used for mobility recovery including assessment tools and external assistance systems.
Q8: Does gait rehabilitation equipment help patients walk better?
A: Gait training equipment allows patients to perform repetitive walking practice.
Additionally, progressive rehabilitation allows patients to regain function over time!
As with anything in healthcare, every patient will have different results.
15 Conclusion
Clinicians can use gait rehabilitation equipment to enhance standard mobility rehabilitation practices.
Treadmills allow clinicians to provide patients with a controlled walking environment.
Body weight support helps to decrease loading on patients’ lower limbs.
Overground gait trainers encourage active walking.
Robotic devices allow for controlled movement assistance.
Lastly, digital technologies can provide clinicians with objective performance data.
As a result, there are many forms of gait rehabilitation equipment.
Clinicians should always purchase equipment that fits their clinic’s patient population, rehabilitation goals, safety requirements, space, and workflow.
Like with any therapy treatment, professional assessment should always dictate treatment and equipment used.
Jamore Medical’s gait training systems, body weight support systems, robotic rehabilitation equipment, and other physical therapy technology can help clinicians provide patients with structured mobility recovery.
