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 Be Afraid of Early Mobilization in Acute Brain Injury
February 20, 2018
by Mary Beth Osborne, PT, DPT, NCS
This article was originally written for Medbridge and is shared here with permission.
People who suffer brain injuries require extensive medical care to preserve vital organ functions and prevent secondary injury. Physical therapists are in a unique position to positively influence the ultimate outcome for these individuals by simply providing early mobilization.
Two studies provide support for early...
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
Improving Gait in Chronic TBI with Motor Learning Strategies
July 25, 2017
by Elena Noble, MPT
Long-term disability is a frequent sequel of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and takes the form of persisting motor impairments that impact walking and autonomous movement. So to improve environmental negotiation and basic care skills, independent gait is an essential therapy goal for TBI patients.
Literature shows that the best time for independent gait recovery occurs within the first few...
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...
Stories
Great Strides with the Rifton TRAM
March 12, 2015
by Cathy Ripmaster, MSPT
A few years ago we welcomed a non-traditional student – we’ll call him Jay – at Lincoln Developmental Center (LDC) where we work. Most of our students have had a development disorder since birth; most are undersized and fit well into traditional equipment, but Jay sustained a traumatic brain injury at the age of 14 and arrived at LDC at the age of 17, fully grown, with limited positioning...
PT/OT
The Rifton TRAM vs. the Standard Four-Wheeled Walker
December 02, 2014
by Elena Noble, MPT
For those of us concerned with rehab following central nervous system lesions, the last ten years have been exciting. There has been extensive research focused on the brain and its neuroplastic properties, and it’s changing the way we think about treatment.
Specifically, recent research has encouraged gait rehabilitation – task-specific and repetitive. We all recognize now that ambulation...