Accordingly, in the non-ambulated patients, kyphosis and scoliosis rates were significantly higher than the patients who were
ambulated (kyphosis p=0.018 scoliosis p=0.009).
During this 21st session, the patient
ambulated 9.1 m with a hemi-walker in the active trainer but only required minimal assistance of one physical therapist as compared with moderate assistance of 2 therapists on the 20th session (see Figure 3).
Although the control group consisted of neurologically intact and
ambulated patients, the majority had chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Quantitative gait data were collected during the first testing session with a motion capture system (Real-Time, Motion Analysis Corporation; Santa Rosa, California) and force plates (Advanced Mechanical Technology Inc; Watertown, Massachusetts) while the subjects
ambulated with the LLPS over a level 10 m walkway.
One 200-pound TBI resident had previously
ambulated using a rolling platform walker, crossing 200 to 300 feet in 30 minutes, and in doing so requiring two caregivers' assistance because of a tendency to lean to the right side and have the right leg buckle under him.
Ulrich focused exclusively on pain reduction and did not mention if patients
ambulated more due to less pain or were more motivated to participate in their recovery.
Calibration trial ambulation was performed in a room such that each subject
ambulated in one direction, around a table in a circle, at a given speed.
Prior to admission, she lived with her daughter in a two-story home and
ambulated independently indoors and outdoors with a single point cane.
Phase II part I consisted of the participants ambulating with a SW and a PWW for 6 minutes and part II of Phase II, the same participants
ambulated for 12 minutes instead of 6 minutes.
With the use of a rolling walker, she
ambulated (10) feet, rested briefly in a chair, then walked another 20 feet, all with contact guard assistance and weight bearing as tolerated.
The speed at which subjects
ambulated in the gymnasium and apartment setting was calculated to be above this critical level for all subjects.
Four patients who
ambulated prematurely were excluded from the analyses of between-group differences in excess hours of bedrest.