Project Walk®- Spinal Cord Injury Recovery

Project Walk Equipment

Robomedica®

Robomedica®, Inc.'s electronically controlled pneumatic body weight support system allows modulation of the ground reaction forces and permits more normal center of mass movement during body weight supported stepping. Research done over the past twenty years indicates that normal neuromuscular activity and sensory input to the central nervous system is important in retraining stepping after neurologic injuries. Robomedica, Inc.'s system is the only system that: Controls the ground reaction force Permits more normal center of mass movement during training Quantifies body weight support levels in real time througout the step cycle

Passive Gait Trainer #1

Passive Gait Trainer #1 at Project Walk® was created by the Project Walk staff in conjunction with their clients and is ideal for T-level injuries or taller clients who have a long stride length. This gait trainer performs nearly the same job as the Robomedica but without the same ability to adjust the amount of weight the client loads into their feet. The passive gait trainer produces a movement that mimics the natural gait pattern in an upright position and is a necessity for the numerous repetitions the body needs while progressing through the phases of recovery.

Passive Gait Trainer #2

Passive Gait Trainer #2 at Project Walk® is ideal for C-level injuries becasue it assists with the arm swing that should take place while the client works on their gait. These set up for mechanis of this gait trainer produces the movement in the lower extremeties as Passive Gait Trainer #1 which mimics the natural gait pattern in an upright position.

FES Bike & Arm Cycle

Functional Electrical Stimulation is a method of applying low level electrical currents to the body to restore or improve function. FES applied near the muscle or nerve can substitute artificial electrical signals for the missing normal motor signals. The artificial impulses make the muscle contract. In the case of the FES Bike, FES is used to stimulate patterned movement of the legs (cycling). This has been shown to do the following:

Relax muscle spasms
Prevent or reduce disuse muscle atrophy
Increase blood circulation
Maintain or increase range of motion

Project Walk has two RT-300 FES bikes! Both of the RT-300 bikes are equipped with foot pedals for lower body stimulation and one is equipped with the electrical stimulation arm cycle. The RT300-S is used right from your wheelchair - no transfer is required. The height adjustment system allows the RT300-S to fit your wheelchair. Simply secure your feet in the pedals and support your legs with the leg guides. Surface electrodes will be placed on your skin over leg muscle groups, and are connected by a set of cables. A computer controls the stimulation patterns being sent to your legs, producing a smooth pedaling motion. And you are on your way.

You can also use the arm cycle right from your wheel chair. If you are stimulating both sides of your body you can select up to three muscle groups per side. If you are stimulating one side you can select up to five. You can select from biceps, triceps, supraspinatus, anterior deltoid, posterior deltiod, wrist flexors/grasp or wrist extensors/release.

For more information visit: www.restorative-therapies.com

Power Plate®

The PowerPlate is a unique device which vibrates in 3 planes: up/down, front/back, and side/side. The exact effects this has on the body are currently still under study. What is known is that it lowers the excitation threshold of reflexes and it helps potentiate the stretch reflex. It also makes demands on the neuromuscular system via the muscle spindle and golgi tendon organ to attenuate the vibration and to maintain balance. The PowerPlate has an additional effect on motor learning by causing recruitment of inactive motor units.

Total Gym®

The Total Gym is one of the very few pieces of equipment that can be used in all five phases of recovery. While clients are on the Total Gym they receive the benefits of active load bearing on the body while using a closed chain platform. The Total Gym allows clients to perform exercises in a very safe environment that the Specialist can regulate. The benefits of using the Total Gym for load bearing exercise include joint stability, increased muscle size and strength, increased sensory feelings, increased balance and coordination, and may help increase bone density.

Evolv® Standing Frame

Project Walk has three standing frames available to their clients which may be used during their workouts or in their free time. Passive standing has been demonstrated to prevent, reverse, or improve many of the adverse effects of prolonged immobilization.

The most widely accepted medical benefits of standing include:

Prevention of contractures (ankles, knees, and hips)
Improvement of range of motion (spine, hips, knees and ankles)
Prevention or reversal of osteoporosis and resultant hypercalciuria
Improvement of renal function, drainage of the urinary tract, and reduction in urinary calculi
Prevention of pressure ulcers through changing positions
Improvement in circulation as it related to orthostatic hypotension
Improvement in bowel function
Normalization of respiratory function

Other specific reasons that people stand include:

Development & improvement of upper body balance & strength
Development of standing tolerance & endurance
Maintenance of bone density

Deep Muscle Stimulator® (D.M.S.)

The D.M.S provides deep muscle tissue with kinetic forms of percussion and concussion vibration, which in turn facilitates the client with the benefits of:

Increased strength
Increased circulation
Reduced pain
Helps breakdown dysfunctional muscle tissue due to spasms and tone
Increased lymphatic flow

Horizontal Versa Climber®

The Horizontal Versa Climber® was created at Project Walk and is a great tool for clients because it allows perform a cross crawl motion through a full range of motion. This motion benefits client by increasing coordination, cardiovascular endurance, range of motion and gait efficiency. In most instances client will use this piece of equipment as a precursor to the traditional Versa Climber®.

Redcord®

Redcord is a unique and effective concept for functional training. Carefully designed training using body weight and slings is at the core of the concept. A unique blend of applied scientific knowledge, patented equipment and guided advice from a certified professional ensures the Redcord system gets results. Bridging the gap between performance oriented training and rehabilitation from injury is characteristic of Redcord’s total and holistic approach.

Pilates Reformer

The Pilates Reformer can be adapted in many different ways to increase the demand of gravity and load bearing into the axial skeleton for clients who are unable to stand or perform upright gait training activities. For clients who are in phases IV and V the Pilates Reformer can be used in a variety of dynamic movements that require strength and coordination of both the lower and upper extremities.

Spin Bike

Spin bikes are used on a daily basis at Project Walk because they create repetition of a movement pattern similar to that of the gait pattern. The more time on the bike; the more stimulation there is for reorganization of the nervous system. While clients are on a spin bike they utilize hip flexion, extension as well as knee flexion and extension which is mimicked during running.

Combo Twists

The combo twist can be used both C-Level and T-Level clients who have joint stability and are in Phases III - V. The most important benefit individual with a spinal cord injury can obtain from using the combo twist is the rotation the machine created in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine. Rotation will help stimulate all of the back muscles and the muscles of the pelvis.

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