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Using the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill with Neurological Patients
This document discusses how the AlterG anti-gravity treadmill can be used for neurological rehabilitation. It outlines common neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy. For each disorder, it describes symptoms and recovery timelines. Neurological rehabilitation focuses on regaining function rather than range of motion or pain relief. The AlterG allows patients to walk earlier and with less weight-bearing stress, promoting motor learning. It is appropriate for patients with moderate assistance or higher functional independence. Physical therapists can use the AlterG to assist patients in improving gait, balance, and achieving functional rehabilitation goals.
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Using the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill with Neurological Patients
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- 2. Objectives • Become familiarwith common neurological diagnoses appropriate for the AlterG • Understand how the AlterG can be used by neurological patients • Learn how to respond to common PT objections regarding the AlterG with neuro populations
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- 4. Common Neurological Disorders •Parkinson’s Disease • Stroke- Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) • Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) • Cerebral Palsy (CP)
- 5. Parkinson’s Disease • Whatis it? • Degenerative CNS disorder • Affects brain’s ability to produce Dopamine • Lack of Dopamine causes symptoms
- 6. Parkinson’s Disease • Symptoms: •Resting tremor • Rigidity/stiffness • Slow movement (Bradykinesia) • Impaired balance (Postural instability) • Gait abnormalities
- 7. Stroke (CVA) • Whatis it? • Sudden, focal interruption of blood flow to the brain • 2 Types: • Ischemic (80%) • Hemorrhagic (20%) • Most common cause of neurologic disability
- 8. Stroke (CVA) • Symptoms: •Paresthesias • Weakness/paralysis • Speech/ Visual Disturbances • Confusion • Loss of balance/coordination • Gait disturbances
- 9. Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI) • What is it? • Damage to the brain from an acute event • Majority are closed head injuries • 2 Types: • Mild • Severe • Difficult to quantify recovery
- 10. Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI) • Jan 8, 2011- Injured in shooting • Jan 16- No longer needs vent • Jan 19- Standing with help • Jan 24- Shunt removed • Feb 14- Steps in rehab with assistance • Apr 24- Standing independently, walking with shopping cart
- 11. Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI) • Symptoms • Multiple symptoms • Difficult to quantify recovery
- 12. Spinal Cord Injury(SCI) • What is it? • Damage to the spinal cord • 2 Types of damage: • Extrinisic • Herniated disc • Abscess • Hematoma • Intrinsic • Infarct • Hemorrhage • Trauma
- 13. Spinal Cord Injury(SCI) • Oct 16, 2010- Injured vs. Army • July 13- Standing in rehab • Dec 17- Sitting for up to 30 sec
- 14. Spinal Cord Injury(SCI) • What Does It Look Like? • Paresis • Paresthesias • Autonomic dysfunction
- 15. Cerebral Palsy • Whatis it? • Group of neurological disorders • Appears in infancy or childhood • Not progressive • Abnormalities in the areas of the brain that control movement • Caused by brain infections, head injuries that disturb oxygen flow
- 16. Cerebral Palsy • Symptoms: •Seizures • Epilepsy • Communication disorders • Sensory impairments • Abnormal muscle tone (spasms) • Joint and bone deformities • Unsteady gait and balance problems
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- 18. Neurological vs. OrthopedicRehabilitation Orthopedic Rehabilitation Neurological Rehabilitation Concerned with ROM/Pain Concerned with function Body weight support important to protect healing tissue Body weight support important for safe practice Patients can recover fully Patients learn to adapt to situation Follows specific timelines Difficult to predict/plan recovery Focus of Neurological Rehabilitation Is Function
- 19. Neurological Rehabilitation • Physicaltherapy cannot repair the neurological disorder • Physical therapy cannot fix the neurological problem • Physical therapists treat the movement dysfunctions, not the neurological issue. • Goals of Neurological PT: • Assist patients in regaining/relearning function • Maintain current function
- 20. Neurological Rehabilitation Key Theme:Function Therapists will: • Focus on task(s) patients are not able to do • Design treatments focused on helping achieve tasks • Treatments will break down skills to allow patients to succeed • Not focus on a timeline What function does the AlterG help patients with?
- 21. Neurological Rehabilitation Key Theme:Function Medicare is only concerned with function: • Decreasing pain, improving range of motion do not matter • If a patient does not show improved function, they will not get continued PT How does the AlterG help patients with improving function?
- 22. Neurological Rehabilitation • FunctionalTests 1) Berg 2) TUG (Timed Up-and-Go) 3) 6-Min Walk
- 23. Pitching AlterG ToNeuro Facilities
- 24. Key Points • AlterGis the best modality for assisting a patient with gait training, balance training • Superior comfort allows for longer practice sessions • Longer practice sessions = Greater motor learning opportunities= Better outcomes AlterG allows for comfortable functional rehabilitation
- 25. “I Can’t ManipulateMy Patient’s Legs/Feet”
- 26. “I Can’t ManipulateMy Patient’s Legs/Feet” • AlterG is an excellent modality for gait training, balance training • It supports the patient’s ability to walk • Mod Assist (FIM 3) or higher functional level • Dependent (1) Max Assist (2) patients may not be appropriate • Patients that can “walk” are perfect candidates for the AlterG • Have motor function • Can correct leg position with verbal and visual cues
- 27. “I Can’t ManipulateMy Patient’s Legs/Feet” • Once patients are READY, the AlterG assists with weight bearing therapy better than any other product on the market • Response Theme: The perfect tool makes the job easier
- 28. “It’s too hardto get my patients in/out”
- 29. “It’s too hardto get my patients in/out” • AlterG is an excellent modality that will assist with weight bearing rehabilitation • PT’s should have other treatment techniques at their disposal to get patients ready for the AlterG • If patients need a little more assistance: • LiftAccess • Transfer Bench
- 30. “It’s too hardto get my patients in/out” • LiftAccess • Patient Confidence • Therapist Confidence • Helps with therapy • Question is not IF…, but WHEN will patients be appropriate for the AlterG?
- 31. What Level OfPatients Are Appropriate? • Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Score • 7- Independent • 6- Modified Independence • 5- Supervised • 4- Minimal Assistance • 3- Moderate Assistance • 2- Maximal Assistance • 1- Dependent
- 32. What Qualifies SomeoneFor AlterG Use? • Transfer from Sit Stand with Moderate Assistance • Stand with Minimal Assistance with arm support • Lower extremity motor control to direct foot placement • Good sitting balance and trunk control
- 33. Neurological Rehab andthe AlterG • Remember, neuro rehabilitation goals are based on function not timelines • Focus is on relearning/retraining movement patterns, not fixing neurological problems • Be sure prospects understand where and how the AlterG fits into the rehabilitation process • Question is not IF patients will be appropriate for the AlterG, but WHEN?
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