spinal cord injury

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 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 Facilitating Stepping in Inpatient Rehabilitation August 13, 2018 by Linda Rusiecki PT, DPT, CBIS
A physical therapist wraps a Theraband around the leg of a client in a Rifton E-Pacer to assist with unweighted gait training.
We have used Rifton products in our facility for the last two years with our adult neuro patients, primarily with stroke, brain injury, and brain tumor resection, though they have also been useful with patients with incomplete spinal cord injury and demyelinating diseases.
PT/OT New Webinar on Motor Learning April 17, 2018 by Lori Potts, PT
A young teenager standing in a Rifton Pacer Gait Trainer doing and activity with a caregiver.
On April 12, we hosted a webinar, Progressive Gait Training: Motor Learning Strategies and the Research, discussing motor skill acquisition through practice, feedback and prompt reduction. It concluded with a demonstration of the Rifton Pacer and tips for therapeutic and functional use of the Pacer emphasizing the benefits of dynamic support and the reduction of physical assistance to increase...
Evidence Based Practice Don’t Skimp on Good Design and Quality January 30, 2018 by Lori Potts, PT
A young physical therapist guides the walking of a TBI patient in a Rifton TRAM.
Does the quality of an individual’s mobility device influence their participation? Common sense tells us it would, but do we find research to back that up? Thankfully, yes. Today’s post highlights the work of a research team that implemented a two-day assessment with 604 community-dwelling adults with spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. Of these, 250 people (41%) self...
Evidence Based Practice Evidence Update: Dynamic Gait Training for Child with SCI October 17, 2017 by Elena Noble, MPT
A child with sci in a blue dynamic gait trainer smiles at his caregiver as he walks through the school hallway.
Because good clinical evidence on the benefits of gait training is so scarce, we celebrate every contribution we find. Here’s one that specifically explores the effect of dynamic gait training on a child with a spinal cord injury. After sustaining a complete T10 spinal cord injury (SCI) at 23 months old, this child began a walking program six months later. She initially started with a posterior...
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...
PT/OT Evidence Update: Supported Standing Protocols December 07, 2015 by Elena Noble, MPT
A therapist talks to an adult patient with a neurological condition during a therapeutic standing protocol
For decades already we’ve seen standing programs used as a therapeutic intervention for adults with neurological conditions. We’ve known that without such intervention, patients with spinal cord injuries, strokes, traumatic brain injuries or multiple sclerosis spend hours and hours each day in sedentary postures—with devastating results. Sitting for upwards of eight hours a day leads to...
News Spotlight on SCI Rehab September 18, 2015 by Elena Noble, MPT
Romy Camargo decorated Army veteran and SCI patient poses for a photo with his wife at a fundraising event for his Stay in Step facility
By an act of Congress, September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. And well it should be: one person becomes paralyzed every 48 seconds—in the U.S. alone. Advancements in treatment continue today but we have a long way to go. To draw attention to the needs of SCI victims (and before September is gone) I’d like to tell about a recent visit I made to a fabulous clinic in Tampa.   Built...