Benefits Of Dynamic Unweighing Therapy - biodex 945-480 Installation & Operation Manual

CONTENTS

BENEFITS OF DYNAMIC UNWEIGHING THERAPY

Partial Weight-Bearing Therapy, also known as Unweighing, is a concept of rehabilitation that
uses an external device to support a percentage of the patient's body weight, allowing them to
perform a variety of therapeutic activities in an upright and safe environment. Typically used
with Neurological Pathologies, the patient's body weight is supported between 20-40% to assist
with developing proper gait patterns and improvements in cardiovascular and muscular
endurance with less physical demand. The ability to initiate exercise early in the rehabilitation
process can benefit the patient by allowing development of neural pathways through muscular
patterning.
Benefits
Research has shown the benefits of Unweighing to occur in a variety of physiological ways.
Physiological Benefits
Symmetrical Loading of the Lower extremities - This assists with equal weight distribution over
the base of support. Equal weight distribution in turn provides the proper biomechanics to cor-
rect step length deficits and time distribution between limbs
Reduction of Muscular Splinting - Parasympathetic tones typically associated with neurological
pathologies can be reduced through partial-weight therapy. Minimizing parasympathetic stimuli
helps to reduce muscular tension in turn allowing for increased range of motion and focus on
motor control exercises.
Reduction of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Demands - Relieving graded portions of body
weight allow the patient to exercise with less stress to the cardiopulmonary system, this is benefi-
cial for extremely deconditioned patients as it allows them to initiate exercise without increasing
cardiopulmonary demand. VO
patient can then also exercise for a longer period of time. This application can be beneficial for
cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, as well as obese patients as exercise can be prolonged to
enhance conditioning.
Other Benefits
Acute Injury and Post Surgical - Unweighing can also provide a safe environment to start acute
therapy following injury or surgical procedures. This is especially true with patients suffering
from low back pain, whether it's acute or chronic. Unweighing provides an environment around
the injured joint with reduced gravitational effects, this can be coupled with exercise to enhance
joint stability. Vertical traction is accomplished to provide patient relief. This same approach can
be taken with other orthopedic injuries. By using the Biodex Unweighing System you can be
assured that your patient is working in a dynamic environment unloaded to physician specifica-
tions. Since the weight of the patient is supported, there is increased safety for them and the
clinician, should a fall occur.
Balance Training - The Biodex Unweighing System provides a safe environment during balance
training. Securing your patient in the Unweighing System will eliminate the risk for falling dur-
ing balance training. The somatosensory input provided by the harness provides proprioceptive
feedback in regards to location of the trunk over the base of support and will allow your patient
to work with more confidence during rehabilitation.
PARTIAL WEIGHT BEARING
levels are maintained better at 40% unweighing than at 0%, the
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