MNC has a partial body weight support treadmill system (BWSTS) which is used for gait training, especially for those who need support and to practice walking safely.

Body weight support treadmill training (BWSTT) uses a specially designed apparatus to take up some of the weight of an individual as they walk and/or run on a treadmill. A harness both supports and lifts the trunk to take up some of the individual’s body weight allowing for variable loading and unloading.

There are many possible advantages of BWSTT including:

  • Increasing speed and exercise tolerance
  • Improving postural control and reducing the need to depend on arm support so normalising tone in upper limbs
  • Lower limb strengthening/increased lower limb range of movement
  • Ability to cope with slopes in the walking surface and increased confidence
  • Developing ability to run in some patients where the harness gives the initial safety and confidence to move to this new level

‘Hands on’ therapy may well be required to help facilitate a more symmetrical walking pattern but then may be withdrawn as automatic stepping responses occur. The treadmill can also be used without the body weight support if not required.

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