The NF-Walker in the rehabilitation of children with a pronounced movement disorder

Christel Kannegießer-Leitner

The NF-Walker also helps children with multiple disabilities who, without this device, would need strong guidance and/or support from a helper to walk. This guided walking without a walking aid can be extremely strenuous for parent and child, depending not only on the motor stability but also the size of the child. The NF-Walker, on the other hand, enables the child to cover longer dis- tances, as a result of which walking is increased and the walking sequence can more easily be automated. This intensive walking increases muscle strength in both the legs and upper body.

NF- Walker dynamic and mobile standing orthosis

Idoia Gandarias Mendieta

The NF-Walker offers children the possibility to experience standing independently, both still and moving. This device guarantees a correct body alignment, allowing the lower limb exor muscles to stretch and improving head control and trunk stability. It consists of a system of braces and supports which allows children to load around 80- 90% of the corporal weight on their feet whilst the remaining 10-20% is taken by the thoracic, pelvic and tibial supports. The child is slightly de- gravitated making it easier for him or her to be able to take a step.

Does early application of medical aid devices make sense? Based on the example of the NF-Walker

S. Schneiders

I have used the NF Walker with a number of children aged approximately 18 months after having mobilised them into the standing frame at approximately 12 months of age, at rst on a three- month trial basis.

Evaluation of the NF-Walker

Martín Gómez M., Laguna Mena C., Martín Maroto M.P., Arroyo Riaño M.O.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the primary cause of disability in developed countries, with an incidence of 1.5-3/1000 live births. Bipedal locomotion in children with CP (especially GMFCS Levels IV or V), or other diseases which are characterised by severe psychomotor development delays, is a skill which is dif cult to achieve. The Norsk Funktion-Walking Orthosis (NF-Walker) is a standing frame system with partial suspension of body weight. It consists of a 4-wheel system, from which HKAFOs (hip- knee-ankle-foot orthoses) are hung, connected to a hip and chest belt. At the bottom of the device, special orthopaedic shoes can be tted. The suspension of body weight allows the patient to activate ambulation and initiate alternating movements.

Innowalk – Beneficial effect in Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Ulrika Skjellvik Tollefsen

The case report has shown that for Martin, who has SMA, training in Innowalk has produced positive results in a short time in the form of better walking function, more energy and a genuine sense of moving more easily. It remains to be seen whether the results are lasting. Eighteen months after starting to use Innowalk, Martin is still very happy in it and continues to have better sitting balance, trunk control, arm strength, etc.

Gross motor function, joint mobility and spasticity in the lower limbs of children with CP can be affected by using the “Innowalk” motorised training and stimulation aid.

Hege M. Hansen

The text is a summary of a Master’s thesis in Manual Therapy at the University of Bergen, 2014.

The approach of the study was to investigate how gross motor function, joint mobility and spasticity in the lower limbs of a child with CP can be affected by using a motorised training and stimulation aid. As the study involved only a small number of participants (N=2), it is not possible to generalise the results. However, the study does tell us something about a potential effect
and trend after intervention for the two children who took part, and may serve as a pilot for a subsequent larger study involving more participants.

Experience with the Innowalk from two counties in Norway

Britt Tornes, Kari Borgen, Kari Bugge, Tone Mari Steinmoen, Charlotte Marie Schanke, Rikke Damkjær Moen

Experience so far has shown that Innowalk can improve or maintain endurance, stomach functioning and posture control. In addition, several users improved joint movement and for one user, Botox treatment was no longer indicated after the trial period ended.

Evaluation of the use of Innowalk by two patients, 4–6 times a week respectively

Britt-Marie Rydh Berner and Lotta Ahlborg

Our two test subjects were people with cerebral palsy GMFCS III, activity levels 1 and 2 (according to the Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale). The most important thing for us (two registered physiotherapists) to say in summary is that this training method suited our test subjects very well. Many of our patients, particularly those with GMFCS III, have difficulty finding forms of training where they feel comfortable, which they can do independently and where the training in itself produces tangible results for them. The Innowalk achieved this.