METHOD FOR GAIT TRAINING USING WALKER DEVICE

摘要

A walker device is described herein including two side frames, each side frame including a front vertical support, a rear vertical support and at least one connecting member extending between the front and rear vertical supports. The walker device further includes a cross bar extending between the two side frames and pivotally connecting to the front vertical supports of the two side frames. The walker device also includes a tension device which applies a resistive force to the pivoting motion between the first cross bar and the two side frames. The walker device is therefore capable of a pivoting configuration which enables the user to learn or re-learn a more natural gait pattern including rotation of the upper and lower body. Some embodiments of the walker device include a second, auxiliary cross bar that is parallel to the first cross bar and horizontally offset from the first cross bar.

主权项

1. A method of improving the natural gait pattern of a person, comprising:
providing a walker comprising handgrips, at least one wheel in contact with a left side frame, at least one wheel in contact with a right side frame, a crossbar pivotally connecting the left side frame to the right side frames, at least one tensioning device; the person commencing to walk in a series of steps with their hands residing on said handgrips, each step comprising a reciprocating pivoting motion by transferring the weight from one foot to the other, the series of said steps comprising the person's left leg moving in motion counter to that of the person's left arm and the person's right leg, the person's right leg moving a motion counter to that of the right arm and the left leg, the person's pelvis rotating along the axis of the spine, the left side frame moving in the direction counter to the right side frame while the at least one wheel of the left side frame and the at least one wheel of the right side frame make contact with the ground, and said tensioning device adding resistance to the motion of the left side frame and the right side frame.