Body Weight Support Treadmill Training

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at University Hospital offers body weight supported treadmill training. This training can be used for people with a variety of diagnoses such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, and other neurologic diseases and disorders.

Here at Upstate, we use the Lokomat® system from Hocoma. The Lokomat® has a robotic-driven gait orthosis that guides your legs on a treadmill, while supporting your weight to promote a more normal walking pattern. Your therapist can choose to use either the Lokomat® robotic system or more traditional manual system, based on your individual needs. Pediatric orthoses are also available.

What to Expect from your Therapy

• Please arrive 15 minutes before your first scheduled appointment
• Your therapist will perform a complete evaluation to determine the physical therapy plan and which mode of treadmill training is best for you.
• For manual treadmill training the therapist will then:
  • Fit the harness
  • Determine the amount of body weight support to start
  • Raise you up and begin treadmill training
• For robotic treadmill training the therapist will then:
  • Measure your leg length
  • Fit the harness, leg cuffs, and leg straps
  • Set up the machine
  • Determine the amount of body weight support to start
  • Hook up the harness
  • Raise you off the treadmill
  • Strap you into the robotic orthosis
  • Adjust the settings for your best walking pattern
  • Start the treadmill and lower you to begin body weight supported treadmill training
• Watch a video of how the Lokomat® system is set up.

What to Wear to Your Appointment

It is important to wear appropriate clothing for the Lokomat®, starting on your initial appointment. Please wear clothes that are comfortable and allow you to move freely such as sweat pants or jogging pants. Please wear tall socks and sneakers. Denim pants and shorts are not suitable. Avoid zippers and buttons on your pant legs or shirts.

What to Do Next

If you think body weight supported treadmill training may be right for you:

• Discuss it with your physician
• Get a prescription for physical therapy from your physician
• Call (315) 464-2300 to schedule an assessment to determine if body weight supported treadmill training is right for you

Typically you will start with a 6 week trial of body weight support treadmill training to assess effects.

 

A physician's referral is required for examination and treatment within this program