PT/OT

Mobility and Fitness Interventions for Children and Adults with Medical Complexity

March 19, 2024 by Tanya Myers, PT, DPT, AnnMarie Stauffer, PT, DPT, and Lisa Gradziel, PT, DPT
A young woman uses the steering bar on the Rifton Pacer gait trainer to guide the walking of a young boy.

Children with medical complexity benefit from use of supportive walkers and gait trainers for upright mobility opportunities.

PT/OT Part 2: Implementing Early Mobility: The Way of the Future November 04, 2020 by Lori Potts, PT
An elderly woman walking in a Rifton TRAM with the assistance of a caretaker
Many patients returning home after being hospitalized for severe respiratory failure, such as those recovering from COVID-19, are now confronting significant physical, neurological, cognitive and emotional issues. To describe this wide variety of challenges, experts use the term “post-intensive care syndrome” or PICS.
PT/OT Part 1: Understanding the Negative Impact of Prolonged ICU Care October 20, 2020 by Lori Potts, PT
An elderly man stepping out of a wheelchair into a Rifton TRAM with the assistance of a caretaker
Serious adverse health outcomes result directly from prolonged ICU stays. With the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to understand the negative health impacts of hospitalization. Early mobilization and rehabilitation interventions have the potential to mitigate these conditions.
Evidence Based Practice Evidence Update: Clinical Practice Guideline to Improve Locomotor Function in Neurorehab February 25, 2020 by Elena Noble, MPT
man walking in the Rifton E-Pacer
New evidence in neurorehab points to the importance of intensive overground walking opportunities for individuals recovering from chronic stroke, TBI and SCI.
PT/OT Improving Rehabilitation Prospects with the E-Pacer September 10, 2019 by Linda Rusiecki PT, DPT, CBIS
Man using a Rifton E-Pacer
Individuals hospitalized due to stroke or brain injury have one over-arching goal: to return home and into the community again. Unfortunately, many individuals with lasting debility require placement in long-term care or assisted living instead. This isolation and loss of independence can be devastating to patients and families. Because independent walking is a primary predictor of whether a patient...
PT/OT A patient with spinal cord injury recovers with the aid of an E-Pacer April 02, 2019 by Ray Mommsen, Rifton Marketing
a blue Rifton E-Pacer
Previously on our blog we shared a post about the use of Therabands with the TRAM from Linda Rusiecki, a physical therapist at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids. In another post, Janette Tazzia and Linda Rusiecki tell about Janette’s recovery from a stroke. Now here’s a story of an individual impacted by a spinal cord injury who made remarkable gains with use of the Rifton E-Pacer in his...
Tips & Advice Comparing Rifton’s Three Gait Training Devices August 09, 2017 by Elena Noble, MPT
A glamour shot of a red E-Pacer gait trainer from Rifton.
Since gait training is a focal rehabilitation activity, we’ve done our best to design gait trainers that meet all needs. In addition to our pediatric line of gait trainers we have three devices that can be used by heavier, larger clients: the TRAM, the XL Pacer and the E-Pacer. While the TRAM is good for tight spaces or if you need a device that can double as a toileting or transfer aid, for full...
PT/OT Creative Mobility Technology for Improved Outcomes July 03, 2017 by Elena Noble, MPT
A man with disabilities sits on a red therapy ball while PT students demonstrate a creative mobility technique.
I recently attended the APTA Next Conference in Boston. A new component to this conference is the experience zone—an education space in the exhibit hall allowing presenters to draw on resources from the show floor as part of their presentations. A great idea. I attended a course called “Creative Mobility Technology for Improved Outcomes” in the zone. Here we learned to get the most...
Evidence Based Practice Evidence Update: Rehab Gait Training with BWS June 27, 2017 by Elena Noble, MPT
over ground gait training
Gait rehabilitation uses both body weight supported treadmill training and over-ground training to help a client reach their maximum walking potential. With no established clinical indications, choosing between the approaches is a research-based and experience-based decision which factors in the nature of a client’s injury, timing and scope of intervention and projected outcomes. Here are two recent...