biodex 945-480 - 1. Partial Weight Bearing Gait Therapy and Balance Training; Introduction to Gait Therapy

Figure 1. The Biodex Offset Unweighing System adjustment mechanisms.
PARTIAL WEIGHT BEARING GAIT THERAPY AND BALANCE TRAINING
The loss of the ability to ambulate can be one of the most debilitating aspects of many neurolog-
ical and musculoskeletal disorders. Any of the three main components of locomotion - posture,
balance and coordination - can be affected by a variety of neurologic or musculoskeletal
pathologies resulting in the disruption of an individual’s ability to walk normally.
Partial Weight Bearing Gait Therapy (PWB) has shown great promise in helping a wide variety
of impaired patients as they relearn walking function. It is an appropriate modality to use when-
ever gait therapy is prescribed for patients who are unable to support their own body weight or
1. PARTIAL WEIGHT BEARING GAIT THERAPY AND
BALANCE TRAINING
PARTIAL WEIGHT BEARING — 4—
Harness Rope
Harness
Spreader Bar
O-Rings
% Unloading Chart
Display
Handle #2
Hand Rail
Locking Caster
(steering)
Safety Tether
Safety
Tether
Adjustment
Handle #1
Air Support
Harness
Ambulation
Stool
Hand Rail
Locking Knob
Hand Rail
Pull Pin
Unloading Scale
Stop Indicator
Locking Caster
(steering)
Locking Caster
(straight only)
Locking Caster
(straight only)
Rope Inspection
Window