1. What Is a Gait Training Machine?

A gait training machine is a type of rehabilitation equipment used to help patients walk.

Patients can use the machine to practice walking repeatedly.
During training, the equipment provides support to help them walk.
Therapists can also adjust the exercise intensity to suit each patient’s needs.

A gait training machine can consist of:

• Body weight support system
• Walk on treadmill
• Harness
• Handrail
• Help with walking
• Speed adjustment
• Safe system
• Record training information
• Robot assistance

So there are many different types of gait training machines.

Some only have the function of helping the patient walk. Some can provide body weight support system and walk on treadmill. They can even have robot assistance.

Which means gait training machine can be used in most rehabilitation centers.

2. How Does a Gait Training Machine Work?

Gait training machine can help patients do walking exercises.

The therapist will first test the patients ability to walk.

Then have them wear the harness if needed.

After that the therapist can set up the machine for the patient.

They can change the following things.

• How fast they are walking
• How much support they need
• How long they train
• Amount of assistance
• Speed of treadmill
• Walking exercise
• Position of body

The patient will be able to walk and do leg movements.

While the therapist watches their walking pattern and if they are safe.

When the patient gets better they can decrease the assistance.

Allowing the patient to go from needing a lot of support to needing none.

3. What Does a Gait Training Machine Have?

There are many different parts to a gait training machine.

3.1 Body Weight Support System

The body weight support system can take weight off of the patients legs.

It can allow them to do step exercises if they cannot put all of their weight on their legs.

It can also provide extra support.

3.2 Walk On Treadmill

Some gait training machines come with a treadmill.

This can allow the patient to keep walking. It also can control how fast they are walking.

The therapist can adjust how fast the patient is walking.

3.3 Harness

The patient will be connected to the machine using a harness.

This can help prevent the patient from falling.

If the harness fits correctly it can also help support the patient while training.

3.4 Safe System

Of course safety is always a concern.

Most machines have stop buttons, harness, handrails and other safe measures.

This allows the therapist to safely train their patients.

3.5 Control System

The control system can be used to control the machine.

Some machines will have speed, time, distance or other information displayed.

4. Who Can Use a Gait Training Machine?

There are many types of patients that can benefit from using a gait training machine.

But you should always consult with your doctor or therapist before using one.

• Stroke patients
• Spinal cord injury
• Brain damage
• Neurology
• Orthopedics
• After surgery
• Old age
• Help with balance

They may have enough strength to walk but no balance.

Or they may not have enough strength in their legs.

So you will want to find what works best for each patient.

Gait training machines can be used to help people walk but are not a replacement for all walking exercises.

5. Gait Training Machine For Stroke Patients

There are many reasons why someone who had a stroke may not be able to walk properly.

They could have weakness in one side of their body, not have proper gait or not have enough muscle control.

By using a gait training machine you can help these patients walk.

With a body weight support system you can decrease how much weight they have to bear on their legs.

They can also do repetitive exercises that will help with muscle memory.

And you can change how much assistance they receive as they get better.

So gait training machine can be used for stroke rehabilitation.

You can also link this to our article about Gait Rehabilitation After Stroke and Body Weight Support For Stroke Patients.

6. Gait Training Machine For Neurological Diseases

People with neurological diseases can also have trouble walking.

They may not be able to place their feet properly, time their steps or have trouble balancing.

Using a gait training machine will allow them to practice walking.

With a body weight support system they can start walking with less effort.

You can also add robot assistance to help them.

And if the machine has a treadmill you can control how fast they are walking.

So a gait training machine can be used for many different levels of rehabilitation.

7. Gait Training Machine For Old Age

As we get older we can lose strength, balance and the ability to walk long distances.

This can cause people to have a harder time doing daily activities.

By using a gait training machine they can learn how to walk with support.

They can also control how much support they need and how long they train.

Of course every person is different so you will want to see what they can do.

Make sure they have the strength and ability to use the machine.

You can also link this to our article about Gait Rehabilitation For Elderly and Balance Rehabilitation For Elderly.

8. Benefits Of Using A Gait Training Machine

There are many benefits to using a gait training machine.

Can Control Training

The therapist can control many aspects of the training.

Allowing the machine to be used on many different levels of rehabilitation.

Practice Walking

People will need to practice walking in order to get better.

The machine can help them do this.

Support The Patient

With a body weight support system you can help the patient walk with less resistance on their legs.

And you can decrease the support as they improve.

Safer

With a harness and other safe features you can help keep your patients safe.

This is especially helpful if they don’t have good balance.

Can Train More Efficiently

Because the machine can help control the walking you can have more consistency.

This will allow the therapist to repeat certain exercises.

Use Technology To Help Rehabilitate

Some machines can collect data.

Which can help the therapist see if their patient is improving.

9. Gait Training Machine Vs Regular Gait Training

Many therapists will help their patient walk by holding onto them.

This can still be used but sometimes it can be hard if the patient needs a lot of support.

That is where a gait training machine can help.

Here are some things that a gait training machine can do that regular walking can not.

These are just some of the things that can be done with a gait training machine.

You don’t have to choose one over the other. You can use both to help your patients.

10. How To Pick A Gait Training Machine

There are many things to consider when buying a gait training machine.

Who Will Be Using It?

First you will want to know who will be using the machine.

If you have a neurological hospital you may want different things than someone who specializes in orthopedics.

How Much Weight Can It Hold?

You will want to make sure the machine can hold your patients weight.

Make sure it can go high enough to fit all of your patients.

Can It Adjust?

Having things that can adjust will make it easier to use.

Both for the patient and therapist.

How Much Can It Support?

Make sure the machine can support as much as you need.

It’s better if it can support a wide variety of weights.

Treadmill

If the machine comes with a treadmill you will want to look at the following.

• How fast it can go
• Size of treadmill
• Motor
• Stop button
• Material

Safety

Make sure the machine is safe to use.

Look for harnesses, stop buttons and other features.

Data

Some machines can give you information about your patients training.

This can be helpful when trying to see if they are improving.

Other Things To Consider

• – Room space
• – Electric
• – Maintenance
• – Training for employees
• – Service
• – Other machines you may have

Make sure the machine will work for your needs.

11. What Are Some New Technologies In Gait Training Machines?

Technology is always getting better and we are starting to see more machines that have new technology.

One thing that is being added to machines is robot gait rehabilitation.

Robots can help the patient do repetitive movements with their legs.

Another thing is collecting data.

You can have sensors on the machine that will collect certain information and show it to the therapist.

Body weight support systems are also becoming more popular.

There are some that allow you to use them on a treadmill and some that allow you to walk around.

We will continue to see more technology in gait training machines in the future.

But we should always use them with caution and consult with a professional.

12. Why Should You Buy From Jamore Medical?

Jamore Medical is a supplier that sells rehabilitation equipment to hospitals, rehab centers and physical therapy clinics.

They offer products that can help with mobility and intelligent rehabilitation.

Here are some of the areas they sell products for.

• Gait training
• Body weight support
• Lower limb rehabilitation
• Balance training
• Robot rehabilitation
• Physiotherapy

When buying equipment for your facility you want to make sure it will fit your needs.

Make sure it can help your patients and will fit in your facility.

Jamore Medical can help you find the right equipment for your facility.

Feel free to connect with us on Linkedin to learn more about rehabilitation and meet other professionals in the field.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-rehabilitation/

13. FAQ

What is a gait training machine?

A gait training machine can be used to help patients walk. Some may come with a body weight support system, treadmill, harness and robot assistance.

What does a gait training machine do?

It can help patients who have trouble walking due to neurological issues or other reasons.

Can I use a gait training machine on a stroke patient?

Yes you can help stroke patients with a gait training machine. Just make sure to consult with your doctor.

Is a gait training machine the same as a treadmill?

No a treadmill just allows you to walk on a moving belt. A gait training machine can come with many other features to help the patient.

Can old age use a gait training machine?

Yes as long as they can use the machine safely. Make sure they have the strength and balance to use the machine.

What should I look for when buying a gait training machine?

You should look at what kind of patients you will be using it on. How much weight it can hold, how much it can support, does it have a treadmill and what other features it has.

14. Conclusion

Gait training machines can be very helpful when trying to rehabilitate patients.

They can come with many features to help your patient.

Such as a body weight support system, treadmill and robot assistance.

So you can use them on many levels of rehabilitation.

Just make sure to always use them with a professional and follow their recommendations.

If you want to learn more about how to use a gait training machine check out our other articles.