Abstract W P141: Anti-Gravity Treadmill Training Leads to Superior Walking Ability Compared to Conventional Physical Therapy in Chronic Community Dwelling Stroke Survivors

Abstract

The Anti-gravity (AG) treadmill is a new modality, initially used by athletes and astronauts allowing precise unweighting up to 80% of body weight. Patients are enclosed in a cockpit which unweights by filling with air, allowing patients to be safely progressed at higher speed and longer durations than the conventional treadmill. Only a few case studies report outcomes of stroke patients using this system. Methods: We trialled the AG system on 9 (5 men, 4 women) community dwelling, chronic stroke patients between 6/2014 and 8/2014 as part of an outpatient physical therapy (PT) program. 7/9 patients received AG treatment following conventional treadmill training, while 2 began new PT treatments with the AG system. Endurance was measured with the standardized 6 minute walk test before initiation and after completion of AG system treatments. Various other PT and stroke outcomes were measured. Results: 8 ischemic and 1 hemorrhage stroke patients with average age 63 (49-79); average NIHSS of 7.9 (range 3-15) and Modified Rankin Scores of 4 for 5 patients and 3 for 4 were treated an average of 21.4(range 11-86) months post stroke. Patients received an average of 5 sessions (2-8) over an average of 2.8 weeks ((1-4). Blood Pressures monitored pre and post each treatment were stable. No adverse complications or pain occurred. All patients reported subjectively experiencing improvement in gait quality with AG system use. 89% (8/9) patients had improved 6" walk test scores following AG treatments. 7/9 patients had received conventional treadmill training during skilled PT prior to initiation of AG treatments. In the 1 month prior to AG treatment, 3/7 of these patients had worsening of 6" walk scores; 2/7 improved, and 2/7 had no change. Of the 7/9 patients receiving AG treatment following usual treadmill training, 6/7 had improved 6" walk scores (range 2-17%). 6 minute walk scores improved by 81% and 1% in 2 patients initiating AG training without preceding treadmill training. All patients had improved walking duration and speed on AG compared to traditional treadmill. Conclusions: AG treadmill treatment was reported to be positive and led to improved walking and endurance compared to conventional treadmill training in this pilot group of chronic community dwelling stroke patients.