Lokomat Therapy

 

Jeff does Lokomat Therapy twice a week.

This is another example of a major out-of-pocket expense for us.

 

What is robot-assisted walking therapy?

This patient is walking on a unique apparatus, something with an exoskeleton, that's moving his legs, which he can't move himself. It is simulating normal walking. Robot-assisted walking therapy is a form of physical therapy that uses a robotic device to help a person whose ability to walk has been impaired as a result of stroke, spinal cord or brain injury, neurological or orthopedic condition, learn to walk again.

How does the robotic device work?

The person is suspended in a harness over a treadmill and the frame of the robot, attached by straps to the outside of the legs, moves the legs in a natural walking pattern. A computer controls the pace of walking and measures the body’s response to the movement.

How does robot-assisted walking therapy help a person re-learn to walk?

The exact mechanism for walking is still not clear, but it is believed that the repetitive walking pattern helps the brain and spinal cord work together to re-route signals that were interrupted by injury or illness.  With robot-assisted walking therapy, the robotic device does most of the heavy work, the pattern and pace are consistent throughout the session, and the exercise can be sustained over longer periods of time.

Are there other benefits to robot-assisted walking therapy?

In addition to training the brain and spinal cord, robot-assisted walking therapy may help strengthen muscles and improve circulation. Also, the weight bearing nature of the exercise may help strengthen bones at risk for osteoporosis (the loss of calcium from bones that makes them fragile and easy to break) due to lack of use.

Here's a link to the website where he does this therapy: http://www.vipneurorehab.com/dr-bradley-marcus.html