PT/OT
A patient with spinal cord injury recovers with the aid of an E-Pacer
April 02, 2019
by Ray Mommsen, Rifton Marketing
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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...