Safer start to the therapy – also from a wheelchair.
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.
Getting onto the treadmill deck can be a challenge already. Therefore h/p/cosmos has
equipped the system with an ergonomic wheelchair ramp. Furthermore the handrails contain
telescopic extensions which can be pulled out 55 cm (21.65“) to give additional support to
the patients. They can assist and hold the handrails in many cases even during mounting the
treadmill on the ramp. And they are happy to help if we give them such tools.
Then they can stand up directly out of the wheelchair with support from the h/p/cosmos
airwalk® vest and un-weighting system holding on to the individually adjusted handrails.
Thus, the therapy can start successfully without much effort.
early start of therapy with body weight support
In neurological rehabilitation it is important for the patient to start exercising as early as
possible. Therefore an individual and optimal un-weighting system is crucial for the patient.
The h/p/cosmos airwalk un-weighting system supports a natural gait pattern. The single-point
suspension allows dynamic up and down movement when walking and at the same time
allows freedom in movement and body rotations where wanted. Additional fixation straps for further stabilization may be utilized if desired and if recommended for the patient. The
un-weighting, depending on the progress of therapy, can be adjusted electronically
between 1 kg and 75 kg (2.2 and 165 lbs).The treadmill itself starts at 0.1 km/h speed
and is driven by a very powerful 3.3 kW(4.5 HP) drive motor. Even heavy patients at low
speeds can exercise smoothly without juddering.
The remote control for electronically re-adjustment of un-weighting has magnet holder
and is can be positioned on either side for the seated therapists. This is really important
during therapy! With the h/p/cosmos system therapists can perform frequently required
re-adjustments of parameters from seating position.
improved ergonomics for healthier therapist
Due to an un-ergonomic working position and the difficulty of manipulating the patient’s
legs the therapist may find it difficult or even impossible to work with normal treadmills in
manual locomotion therapy. Especially after several consequential sessions the therapists
experience fatigue and often pain in shoulders and in the back. These problems can get
worse when working with spastic patients.It may even lead to an early termination of
the therapy.Therefore h/p/cosmos has developed a very sophisticated and ergonomic
solution, which cares for the therapist first. We understand that only motivated and healthy
therapists can serve the patient‘s needs best.
The simple to adjust rotating therapist seats – with excellent lumbar support – and
corresponding foot supports on both sides of the treadmill allow the therapist to sit
comfortably and firmly positioning themselves optimally.
For locomotion therapy the specially designed seats are positioned very close to the center
of the deck, so the posture of the therapist is optimized. Very wide running surfaces would
lead to further problems, therefore h/p/cosmos recommends the 50cm (19.68“) wide deck
for this application and not the 65 cm deck of the h/p/cosmos quasar® med.No obstructive
bars from un-weighting frames or other obstacles give the therapist un-interrupted access
to the patient‘s legs. The arch design of the h/p/cosmos airwalk se 135 perfectly supports
that. This is also important for lateral motion analysis.
For more information go to: http://www.h-p-cosmos.com/en/products/airwalk/index.htm