A treadmill apparatus and harness support for evaluation and rehabilitation of gait

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Abstract

This report describes a treadmill apparatus for the evaluation and rehabilitation of gait in disabled persons. The apparatus incorporates a body weight support system as well as mechanisms to change certain conditions: treadmill belt speed, upward-downward and lateral slopes, and provision of obstacles. The apparatus enables elements of a treadmill walking pattern to be visible in persons for whom gait evaluation or rehabilitation may not otherwise be possible. It also allows for exploration of factors that limit the adaptability of gait in person after disease or injury by changing the mechanical demand of the locomotor task.

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      The use of a treadmill is usually adopted to stimulates rhythmical and repetitive steps (Visintin, Barbeau, Korner-Bitensky, & Mayo, 1998). In addition, the treadmill belt triggers interlimb symmetry causing positive effects on the temporal parameters of walking (Harris-Love, Macko, Whitall, & Forrester, 2004), as well as diminishing the need for propulsive force generation at the end of the stance period (Norman, Pepin, Ladouceur, & Barbeau, 1995). More recently, the BWS systems have been employed during over ground walking in individuals with stroke (Lamontagne & Fung, 2004; Miller, Quinn, & Seddon, 2002; Prado-Medeiros et al., 2011; Sousa, Barela, Prado-Medeiros, Salvini, & Barela, 2009; Sousa, Barela, Prado-Medeiros, Salvini, & Barela, 2011) and children with CP (Matsuno, Camargo, Palma, Alveno, & Barela, 2010).

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    Supported in part by the NeuroScience Network for Centres of Excellence (NCE), the Medical Research Council of Canada and the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Legacy Fund (MIMLF). K.N. has received studentship support from the MIMLF as well as from the NCE. A.P. and M.L. have received studentship support from the Fonds pour la Formation de Chercheurs et l'Aide à la Recherche. H.B. is a chercheur-boursier of the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec.

    No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the authors or upon any organization with which the authors are associated.

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