Medication Can Augment Functional Gain Provided by LegTutor

As published in NEUROREHABILITATION in the November 2011 issue. Dr. M.S. Bryant of the School of Health Professions, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA and Dr. D.H. Rintala of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA etal. researched the following:
Backward walking is difficult for persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is unknown how levodopa influences backward gait patterns, especially when compared to forward gait patterns.
They investigated the effects of levodopa on forward and backward gait patterns in individuals with PD.
The conclusions they reached were that Levodopa improved gait characteristics during backward walking in a manner similar to that during forward walking in persons with PD.
When used with Levodopa the LegTutor can augment functional gain of physiotherapy.
The LegTutor™ system has been developed to allow for functional rehabilitation of the lower extremity. The system consists of an ergonomic wearable leg brace and dedicated rehabilitation software. The LegTutor™ system allows for a range of biomechanical evaluation including speed, passive and active range of motion and motion analysis of the lower extremity. Quantitative biomechanical data allow for objective evaluation and rehabilitation treatment follow up. The LegTutor™ rehabilitation concept is based on performing controlled exercise rehabilitation practice at a patient customized level with real time accurate feedback on the patient’s performance. The exercises are designed in the form of challenging games that are suitable for a wide variety of neurological and orthopedic injury and disease. The games challenge the patient to perform the exercise task to their best ability and to continue exercise practice.
The LegTutor™ allows for isolated and a combination of knee and three directional hip treatment. The system provides detailed exercise performance instructions and precise feedback on the patients exercise performance. Controlled exercise of multi joints within the normal movement pattern prevents the development of undesired and compensatory joint movement and ensures better performance of functional tasks.
The LegTutor™ system (HandTutor, ArmTutor, 3DTutor) is used by many leading rehabilitation centers worldwide and has full FDA and CE certification. See www.HandTutor.com for more information.