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.

There is also a positive impact on hip maturation, as this requires standing and walking stimuli. The exible system of the NF-Walker means the support can be precisely tailored to the needs of the child. Other people more readily perceive children using the NF-Walker as individual personal- ities, as they are walking and are at “eye level”. And the children themselves enjoy the feeling, and are proud to be standing and walking on their own feet in the NF-Walker.

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.

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.

I was able to make the following observations:

• Patients can alternate between active and passive standing, thus strengthening their muscles and preventing muscle imbalance
• By alternating between active and passive standing, they receive proprioceptive stimuli, which changes their perception (these legs are part of me) and contributes to the maturation of the hip joints
• The lower extremity joints can freely and actively be moved within one plane
• Because of their upright posture, they perceive space and themselves in a different way
• They are perceived more positively by others, especially by other children, and are more fre- quently integrated into play activities
• The eld of view increases with better spatial head motion
• The lungs are ventilated in greater depth
• There is an improvement in the blood ow through the body
• The diaphragm muscles are stimulated and strengthened
• The pelvis becomes more stable, bringing about a gain in upright posture; the children also develop more strength to help them expectorate
• A more erect posture also changes the perspective on the child; it can thus leave the role of the “baby” and, unconsciously, signal other needs

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.

Innowalk is a new aid designed for children with physical limitations who can bene t from increased movement. On request by government department responsible for special aids for people with disabilities in Norway, the rehabilitation services in the two counties in Norway together with EO Funktion, carried out a trial project with Innowalk.

The objective of the project was to defensibly show that it is possible to give assisted movement to children who have little or no ability to move on their own. At the same time, there was also a desire to record changes in the child related to increased movement and activity. The trial project is designed in collaboration with rehabilitation services in the two counties.

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.

In a short time, we were able to record measureable results and could see that our motivational talks were no longer required to get the patients to do their training. The patients found the training pleasurable and were more likely to do more than fewer sessions than had been agreed.