Parkinson’s disease (PD) presents significant challenges, particularly concerning gait and balance impairments that can severely affect daily life and increase the risk of falls. Innovative rehabilitation technologies, such as the h/p/cosmos treadmill integrated with the zebris RehaWalk® system, offer promising solutions to address these challenges.
Understanding the h/p/cosmos Locomotion and zebris RehaWalk® Systems
The h/p/cosmos Locomotion treadmill is engineered for medical and therapeutic applications, providing a stable and adaptable platform for gait training. When combined with the zebris RehaWalk® system, it becomes a comprehensive tool for analysing and treating gait disorders. This integration is particularly beneficial in neurological rehabilitation, including for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The treadmill includes ergonomic features such as a wheelchair ramp and telescopic handrails that extend up to 55 cm, which make it easier for patients with severe mobility issues to access the system.
h/p/cosmos locomotion Rehabilitation Treadmill Ergometer
Those who want to learn to walk … must walk! Therefore, functional training on a treadmill is a key component of a neurological treatment facility. At the same time locomotion in practice is not always easy to implement. It starts when a wheelchair patient begins their therapy.
The h/p/cosmos locomotion system has been optimised for both patient and therapist in neurological rehabilitation.
In combination with the h/p/cosmos airwalk® unweighting system, the Locomotion® treadmill allows patients to begin therapy at an earlier stage. The airwalk® system offers electronically adjustable unweighting between 1 kg and 75 kg, supporting natural gait patterns and enhancing patient safety and comfort.
When integrated with the zebris RehaWalk® system, the Locomotion® treadmill becomes a comprehensive tool for analysing and treating gait disorders. This combination is particularly effective for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
The RehaWalk® system features an instrumented treadmill equipped with a pressure sensor matrix beneath the belt. This setup allows for detailed analysis of gait patterns by capturing precise data on foot pressure distribution and movement. Additionally, the system includes adaptive visual cueing, projecting gait patterns onto the treadmill surface, and virtual feedback training displayed on a monitor in front of the patient.
robowalk® Expanders
To further enhance rehabilitation outcomes, the h/p/cosmos robowalk® expander can be added to the Locomotion® treadmill setup. This accessory uses elastic cords attached to comfortable cuffs on the patient’s legs to provide targeted assistance or resistance. The cords’ angle and intensity can be precisely adjusted, enabling therapists to focus on specific muscle groups or movement patterns. This facilitates more effective strengthening, neuromuscular coordination, and gait correction, especially important in Parkinson’s rehabilitation.
The robowalk® expander can also be combined with the airwalk® unweighting system for an even more versatile setup. With vertical and horizontal adjustability, the robowalk system allows for tailored interventions that can reduce compensatory movements and promote more natural gait patterns. This combination enables a holistic rehabilitation experience by simultaneously supporting body weight, assisting movement, and providing resistance. All crucial in managing and improving motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease.
h/p/cosmos robowalk expander system
The h/p/cosmos robowalk expander rehabilitation system is the leading technology for rehabilitation: mobilisation, motion support, locomotion, functional training and gait training.
It is a rubber cable pull system designed for use with h/p/cosmos treadmills. The patient’s legs are attached to the robowalk expander system via cuffs that then give motion support or resistance during gait motion.
Key Features of the RehaWalk® System
- Adaptive Visual Cueing: The RehaWalk® system projects ideal gait patterns directly onto the treadmill belt, encouraging patients to step within designated areas. This real-time visual feedback is particularly beneficial for individuals with Parkinson’s who may experience difficulties with gait initiation and rhythm.
- Markerless Kinematic Analysis: Integrated 2D/3D cameras allow for detailed joint angle and motion tracking without the use of markers, enabling precise gait analysis.
- Interactive RehaCoach® Avatar: An animated avatar guides patients through structured treadmill exercises, improving motivation and compliance. The avatar provides real-time feedback, making therapy more engaging.
- Comprehensive Evaluation Reports: Automatically generated reports highlight key gait parameters, such as stride length, cadence, and stance phase duration. This is critical for tracking patient progress over time.
- Supports Unweighting Devices: The system can be paired with unweighting systems to accommodate patients with limited mobility. Allowing them to begin rehabilitation earlier and more safely.
- Cognitive and Motor Engagement: The RehaWalk® system is designed to stimulate both motor and cognitive skills with tasks of varying difficulty, supporting holistic therapy.
zebris FDM Stance and Gait Analysis System
The zebris FDM System analyses stationary and dynamic gait patterns using sophisticated, high-quality plates and easy-to-use accompanied analytic software. Ideal for use in both clinical settings as a diagnostic tool and as a biometric tool in research.
The zebris FDM system is ideal for both clinical and research settings, as the 11,000 sensors give a comprehensive view of both static and dynamic force distribution.
Benefits for Parkinson’s Rehabilitation
For individuals with Parkinson’s disease, the combined use of h/p/cosmos and zebris RehaWalk® systems offers several therapeutic advantages:
- Enhanced Gait Training: The visual and acoustic cues provided by the RehaWalk® system assist patients in correcting their gait patterns, promoting more natural and stable walking.
- Dynamic Balance Improvement: Studies have shown that treadmill training with perturbations can improve dynamic balance and reduce the risk of falls in Parkinson’s patients. The h/p/cosmos treadmill can be programmed to introduce such perturbations safely.
- Cognitive Engagement: The integration of virtual environments, such as the ‘Forest Walk’, provides cognitive stimulation during physical exercise, enhancing overall therapy effectiveness.
- Early Intervention: The system’s capability to support unweighting devices allows patients with severe functional limitations to commence therapy at an earlier stage, facilitating better rehabilitation outcomes.
- Targeted Resistance and Assistance: The robowalk® expander allows for fine-tuned support or resistance to key muscle groups, enabling more specific, goal-oriented training sessions.
Real-World Application for Parkinson’s Rehabilitation
A practical demonstration of this integrated approach can be seen in a case study conducted at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. In this study, a 65-year-old Parkinson’s patient underwent gait training using the h/p/cosmos treadmill combined with the zebris RehaWalk® system. The training focused on improving gait stability and reducing fall risk through tailored visual cueing and feedback mechanisms.
The video below illustrates this training session, showcasing the practical application and benefits of the combined h/p/cosmos and zebris RehaWalk® systems in Parkinson’s rehabilitation:
Incorporating advanced technologies like the h/p/cosmos Locomotion® and zebris RehaWalk® systems into rehabilitation programmes offers a multifaceted approach to addressing the complex challenges faced by individuals with Parkinson’s disease. These systems not only aid in physical recovery but also contribute to improved cognitive engagement and overall quality of life.
Available to UK customers through HaB direct.
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