THERAPY-Magazin
Faster walking thanks to endeffector?
A study shows that end-effector gait training with THERA-Trainer lyra can improve walking speed and mobility in elderly rehab patients with muscle weakness and limited gait function.
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THERAPY Magazin
In a prospective intervention study, Sandro Caminada analysed the effects of gait training with an end-effector gait trainer in people with limited mobility. He examined the gait pattern of geriatric rehabilitation patients after conventional physiotherapy compared to the combination of physiotherapy and additional training with a THERA-Trainer lyra.
Background
Hospitalisation leads to a decline in functional mobility and independence in elderly people, regardless of the actual reason for hospitalisation. Inactivity during the inpatient period (83% of their time in bed and 12% sitting) leads to deconditioning. The aim of geriatric rehabilitation is to regain mobility and independence in everyday life. The THERA-Trainer lyra was designed for rehabilitation after strokes. This study investigates the effect of lyra training in geriatric rehabilitation patients and anticipates an improvement in walking speed and mobility.
Hospitalisation leads to a decline in functional mobility and independence in elderly people, regardless of the actual reason for hospitalisation. Inactivity during the inpatient period (83% of their time in bed and 12% sitting) leads to deconditioning. The aim of geriatric rehabilitation is to regain mobility and independence in everyday life. The THERA-Trainer lyra was designed for rehabilitation after strokes. This study investigates the effect of lyra training in geriatric rehabilitation patients and anticipates an improvement in walking speed and mobility.
THERA-Trainer lyra
The lyra end-effector gait trainer has a mechanically guided gait pattern and ensures a safe and upright position with its body weight support. The THERA-Trainer lyra trains the intramuscular motor neurons as well as intermuscular coordination. The gait trainer has a mechanical gait pattern that is modelled on the natural gait. Actively shaping the step movement in the upright position trains balance when standing on one leg and promotes strength endurance in the legs and trunk.
The lyra end-effector gait trainer has a mechanically guided gait pattern and ensures a safe and upright position with its body weight support. The THERA-Trainer lyra trains the intramuscular motor neurons as well as intermuscular coordination. The gait trainer has a mechanical gait pattern that is modelled on the natural gait. Actively shaping the step movement in the upright position trains balance when standing on one leg and promotes strength endurance in the legs and trunk.
Methods
6 patients (≥ 65 years) with muscle weakness and limited functional mobility during independent walking were included in the randomised, active-controlled intervention study. The intervention group (n = 3) trained with the end-effector gait trainer three times a week in addition to conventional therapy, while the control group (n = 3) received only conventional therapy, which consisted mainly of physiotherapy.
The test battery included gait analysis with GAITRite, functional measurements and subjective experiences of the subjects. Measurements were taken during hospitalisation, before discharge from hospital and after an outpatient phase of two to three weeks.
6 patients (≥ 65 years) with muscle weakness and limited functional mobility during independent walking were included in the randomised, active-controlled intervention study. The intervention group (n = 3) trained with the end-effector gait trainer three times a week in addition to conventional therapy, while the control group (n = 3) received only conventional therapy, which consisted mainly of physiotherapy.
The test battery included gait analysis with GAITRite, functional measurements and subjective experiences of the subjects. Measurements were taken during hospitalisation, before discharge from hospital and after an outpatient phase of two to three weeks.
Results
The intervention group improved its walking speed by 10.9%, whereas the control group only gained 5.6% (not significant). There was also a trend in favour of the intervention group in the 6-minute walk test. All other test batteries showed no significant differences.
The intervention group improved its walking speed by 10.9%, whereas the control group only gained 5.6% (not significant). There was also a trend in favour of the intervention group in the 6-minute walk test. All other test batteries showed no significant differences.
Discussion
The THERA-Trainer lyra is easy to use and enables even mobility-impaired people to train successfully. Training on the gait trainer is mainly suitable for severely deconditioned patients, as the intensity can be very finely adjusted. Overall, the THERA-Trainer lyra can help increase active time in rehabilitation. Patients report fatiguing thigh and leg muscles. Even at slow walking speeds, there is sufficient training stimulus. Actively helping to shape the gait pattern improves gait-specific coordination, balance and strength endurance.
The THERA-Trainer lyra is easy to use and enables even mobility-impaired people to train successfully. Training on the gait trainer is mainly suitable for severely deconditioned patients, as the intensity can be very finely adjusted. Overall, the THERA-Trainer lyra can help increase active time in rehabilitation. Patients report fatiguing thigh and leg muscles. Even at slow walking speeds, there is sufficient training stimulus. Actively helping to shape the gait pattern improves gait-specific coordination, balance and strength endurance.
Conclusion
The THERA-Trainer lyra enables patients with severe muscle weakness in the trunk and legs to do adapted training. The body weight support and the functional support allow longer training sessions and can help to improve mobility in everyday life.
The THERA-Trainer lyra enables patients with severe muscle weakness in the trunk and legs to do adapted training. The body weight support and the functional support allow longer training sessions and can help to improve mobility in everyday life.
Ambulante Rehabilitation
Fachkreise
Gait
lyra
Produkte
Science
Stationäre Rehabilitation
THERAPY 2021-I
THERAPY Magazine
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References:
- Brown CJ, Redden DT, Flood KL, Allman RM (2009). The Underrecognized Epidemic of Low Mobility During Hospitalization of Older Adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 57(9), 1660 – 1665.
- Falvery JR, Mangione KK, Stevens-Lapsley JE (2015). Rethinking Hospital-Associated Deconditioning: Proposed Paradigm Shift. Physical Therapy, 95(9), 1307 – 1315.
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