Mobility Research : In Step With 2009 Volume 2

mobility research : research : education : users corner : did you know : products : events

2009 VOLUME 2

800 332 WALK

Editorial

We hope you enjoy this edition of our "In step with" Newsletter.

There is a massive body of literature mostly supportive of Body Weight Support Treadmill Training or Partial Weight Bearing Gait Therapy in adult populations of all diagnoses and to a much less extent in children – with most of the focus on children with CP. The research summary highlighted in this issue, "Effects of Partial Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training on Children with Cerebral Palsy" discusses most of the relevant pediatric literature in one place and while concluding more work is needed states that the approach is a feasible method for recovery or development of gait in the pediatric population especially those with CP.

The first pediatric LiteGait drew the comment “it is like having an extra pair of hands” over 15 years ago. Therefore, LiteGait and the therapy it promotes, has been easily integrated into many pediatric settings benefiting a very large number of children over the years. However, a fine tuning of our understanding remains to be done and requires more clinical studies, more data collected on the work already being done. I urge all to keep better records and more objective data on their clinical work so that it can be written up for advancement of our understanding.

Research

Summary of: Effects of Partial Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training on Children with Cerebral Palsy

Katin Mattern-Baxter, PT, DPT, PCS
Department of Physical Therapy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Journal of Pediatric Physical Therapy, 21:12-22

Summary by Sonya Seif-Naraghi

The authors of this literature review assemble and present the methods and results of recent relevant research in an attempt to investigate the effects of body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on gross motor function, balance, gait speed, and endurance in children with CP. They focus on ten articles and case studies published between 1997 and 2008. While recognizing that the question needs to be more extensively studied, they draw the conclusion that longer and more intense BWSTT protocols may be safe, effective, and beneficial in the attainment of walking, improvement of gait speed and endurance with varying types and degrees of CP. The studies compiled in this review, however, report mixed results and more school-aged children have been studied compared to toddlers and infants with such small sample sizes that it is difficult to support definite conclusions.

Click to read more.

Education

LiteGait Training

Mobility Research is currently engaged in online live educational presentations. We recently held our first online training session for AutoStep - the first reciprocating swing assist device for both LiteGait and Gait Trainer environments. This live discussion & demonstration proved very beneficial for our trainers, dealers, and current users of AutoStep. Contact us for more information or to schedule your own online demonstration. We are hoping to provide these presentations on a regular basis to both our trainers and customers. Keep checking our user forum and website for more information & updates.

CEU seminars More Training Options

Meet the Trainer

Meet All of Our Current Trainers

MR: Why/How did you choose to become a LiteGait Trainer?

Nechama: My practice was revolutionized from the first time I saw the LiteGait (when Amir came to present at our facility before we owned one)... and that was before the days of a hydraulic lift. Many of my patients towered over me, and I simply did not have the arm span or the coordination to facilitate appropriate gait patterns while supporting a patient and correcting their posture. I went to school at a program that emphasized motor learning, and had a neuropsychologist for a research partner, so I knew that "traditional" over-ground gait training would not include adequate opportunities for "good practice" to learn a new motor pattern. The LiteGait was an answer to my prayers. I used it quite a bit, but had a difficult time convincing other clinicians in my facility that it was an appropriate tool to use in our gait training practice. Being a trainer affords me the opportunity to "spread the word" and influence practice on a broader scale I use LiteGait a lot at work and have seen great benefits to the recovery of patients' gait. I would love to be able to share my successful experience with other clinicians and being a LiteGait trainer is definitely the most effective way to do it.

MR: What would you consider the most rewarding aspect of being a trainer?

Nechama: Seeing the light go on in an audience member's eyes when they realize how powerful a tool it is; and watching the awe in patients' and clinicians' eyes when they see how much better their performance is when in the LiteGait for the first time... .
See the Complete Interview Here

Users' Corner

Hello,
I began using the LiteGait in January 2009 and about one month after, I felt as though it had made a tremendous difference in my rehabilitation progress. I soon progressed to the point that I was able to walk about 40 feet using only my crutches. I was still harnessed to the LiteGait but it was basically giving me the security that it would simply catch me if I should stumble and fall. Within another months time I was able to advance to the point that I was walking, using my crutches without being attached to the LiteGait. (I was still using the harness just in case I needed aid in getting up out of my wheelchair). I am positive I would not have been doing this at that time without the use of the LiteGait. All the physical therapists were amazed at my progress.
In March I went if for surgery and I was able to progress after the LiteGait use to the point that I did 45 days of Physical Therapy in a Rehab Hospital. I went home after that for 10 days and then my leg re-broke (Dr. said it never really was healed). I went back into the hospital, had another surgery, this time they put a rod in, and I did another 30 days of PT again at a Rehab hospital. I thought I might need the LiteGait again, but with the rod now in, they got me up walking within three days this time. However, that first time after being flat of my back for nine weeks, I would never have walked again without the LiteGait 500. You folks have a wonderful Medical Device here. I proudly endorse this product.

Sincerely,
Richard Cotton
Baton Rouge, LA

Did You Know?

Mobility Research provides a forum for clinicians to post their specific questions, success stories, experiences and ideas related to patient treatment and LiteGait use. Membership is free to all LiteGait users and other clinicians, and we welcome your participation. Visit LiteGait.org to register today! All you need is a valid email address to join. And as always, your e-mail and any other information will not be shared.

Thank You
for Making LiteGait® Your 2009 MVP

Upcoming Events

InServices
Mobility Research is currently scheduling educational inservice demonstrations throughout the U.S. Please call 800-332-9255 to schedule an appointment, or click to submit a request.

Visit us at:
AACPDM 63rd Annual Meeting
Westin Kierland Resort $ Spa Scottsdale AZ
September 23-26, 2009

ARN 35th Annual Educational Conference
Albuquerque Convention Center Albuquerque, NM
October 21-23, 2009

AAPM&R 70th Annual Assembly Austin Convention Center
Austin, TX
October 22-25, 2009

Products

watch a short video

Introducing one of our newer products, an assistive device that has all the sophistication of LiteGait, but allows for easier set up and use so that patients can use it easily. This has been quite successful in nursing home and SNF settings.

Lifts patients weighing up to 350 pounds from seated to standing, in and out of a chair, wheelchair, or on and off the toilet with the push of a button
Battery operated power lift.
Easy to load patients.
Safety harness can be applied to prevent slippage and falling.
Fits through most doorways.
Sleek design.

Click to find out more about the Mobility Device by LiteGait, or for ordering information, call 800.332.WALK.

Is it time for a LiteGait upgrade?
Why upgrade...

The new LiteGait units incorporate many new or improved features that increase the functionality and ease of use of the device. Some feature upgrades are our response to our customers’ comments and suggestions. Others are possible because of our continued commitment to Research & Development.

While there are advantages to trading in an older unit for a new feature-packed unit, redesigned from head to toe, we remain cognizant of the cost factor and the great longevity of LiteGait, we have made nearly all upgrades individually retrofitable.
This means you can take advantage of only the features that matter to you and the patient population that you serve.

Base	Actuator	FlexAble Yoke

Most adult LGI units contain the power system which has gone through extensive changes. The power system( PS) is comprised of a control box, battery, hand held switch, and charger. Fully integrated in the base, the new PS is a very good reason for upgrading the base. Read more The installation of a new base involves only four bolts and one electrical connection to be made. *We will walk you through it*.	LiteGait actuators literally do the heavy lifting and despite that they last a very long time. However, they are electromechanical devices and subject to wear and tear. . Read more	By far the most improved feature in the new LG is the ability to dial in the extent of up and down motion you wish to allow. As the patient improves you can challenge the patient’s posture and balance by allowing up to 5 inches of vertical movement. Read more

Harness	BiSym	MX Yoke

One of the most crucial components of the LiteGait design is the harness. A successful treatment session requires a proper harness placement. Comfort and proper fit is affected by harness age which adversely affects the nylon straps. More importantly, safety is affected by the wear and tear that occurs due to use and repeated washing. Read more	One of our most popular upgrades is the BiSym upgrade, a unique option available with LiteGait® to measure unilateral or bilateral support. LiteGait®’s special design includes a two-armed yoke which holds the patient above each shoulder. From these two points, the harness system can be adjusted to provide as much or as little support required to each side of the body. New BiSym’s are here! You can also upgrade your old BiSym for our latest BiSym version Read more	A yoke that has a small lift mechanism built into it. The small lift mechanism really makes things a lot easier for the patient and the therapist as support can be increased or decreased with the simple push of a button on a hand held remote control. This will transform your manual unit to an actuated unit easily! Read more

Mobility Research, P.O. Box 3141, Tempe, Arizona 85280