STEP WIDTH, GLUTEUS MEDIUS ACTIVATION AND POSTURAL SWAY RESPONSES TO A NOVEL GAIT TREATMENT: A PILOT STUDY

The current study explored the acute effect of a novel rehabilitative device (NewGait™) on several interrelated variables associated with gait. Participants completed an eight-minute walking treatment wearing the NewGait™. Postural sway (center of pressure velocity), step width, and gluteus medius (GM) muscle activity were measured before during and after the treatment. No significant changes were noted in step width or GM activity during the treatment. Step width narrowed significantly after the treatment (p=0.02) and postural sway improved in the eyes open condition (p=0.02). These results indicate gait changes in healthy participant’s following use of the NewGait™ device. However, due to the acute nature of this investigation, it is unclear if balance improvements noted are due to the walking activity alone or walking while wearing the NewGait™ device

THE EFFECT OF A NOVEL REHABILITATION PROGRAM ON WALKING PERFORMANCE IN PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

The current study examined the effects of the NewGait™ device on walking performance in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Eight MS patients participated in this study. Pre- and post-testing assessed kinematic gait variables (step width, length, and speed), ankle range of motion, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Participants completed an 8-week physical therapy (PT) protocol aimed to improve gait and balance, with the experimental group wearing the NewGait™ device. Repeated measures mixed ANOVA showed no main effects between the gait variables or between groups. Post-hoc paired t-tests indicated that the NewGait™ device elicited meaningful change in left and right step length and speed. The NewGait™ device may be a promising rehabilitation device to help induce positive walking performance changes in persons with MS

THE EFFECT OF A NOVEL REHABILITATION DEVICE ON MUSCLE ACTIVATION DURING GAIT IN PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

This study examined the acute effect of a novel rehabilitation device, NewGait™, on muscle activation in persons with Multiple Sclerosis. Through electromyography, muscle activation of the vastus medialis (VM), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and tibialis anterior (TA) was measured in seventeen patients (n=17). Three trials were conducted in each condition: a 10-meter control walk and 10-meter NewGait™ walk. Results showed a non-significant change in muscle activity with moderate effect sizes in the right VM (increase of 39.72% MVC, p=0.082, d=0.626) and right TA (decrease of 12.71% MVC, p=0.069, d=0.427). In general, no change in muscle activation was noted when wearing the NewGait™ device. Future research should include a larger sample size and differentiation between the stance phases to accurately measure the outcomes of the NewGait™ device on muscle activation

THE EFFECT OF A NOVEL REHABILITATION PROGRAM ON WALKING PERFORMANCE IN PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

The purpose of this study was to compare if the addition of the NewGait™ device to traditional therapy in comparison to traditional therapy alone would be more effective at improving walking technique and walking performance in persons with multiple sclerosis. Eighteen patients with multiple sclerosis participated in this study. Pre- and post-testing assessed kinematic gait variables (speed, step length, step width, double limb support time), toe clearance height, ankle range of motion, balance confidence, rating of perceived exertion, and hip-ankle coordination. Participants completed an 8-week physical therapy protocol aimed to improve gait and balance with the experimental group wearing the NewGait™ device. Repeated measures mixed ANOVA revealed significant improvements over time for both groups, with increased walking speed, improved balance confidence, increase in bilateral step length, and a decrease in the percent of time spent in anti-phase and an ankle-driven coordination phase during swing for the unaffected limb (p \u3c 0.05). The experimental group experienced larger improvements in balance confidence (p \u3c 0.05), and coordination (p \u3c 0.05) when compared to the control group. The results of the current study indicate that the use of the NewGait™ during rehabilitation is effective at improving balance confidence lower limb coordination

Trial of NewGait System to Alter Running Mechanics in High School Athlete: a Case Report

Trial of NewGait System to Alter Running Mechanics in High School Athlete: a Case Repor