Enhance rehabilitation therapy with innovative robotic technology
The effects and benefits of the Made for Movement assistive devices are confirmed by professionals in clinical practice. Find out more about studies and results on the NF-Walker, Innowalk and the Innowalk Pro.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I was able to make the following observations:
Martín Gómez M., Laguna Mena C., Martín Maroto M.P., Arroyo Riaño M.O.
Ulrika Skjellvik Tollefsen
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.
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.
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.
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.
NOVEMBER
2019
Presented: "Physiotherapy 2019 UK", Birmingham
When choosing the best walking aid, therapists should carefully consider all individually influencing factors of a child and his environment. The Hibbot is a new walking aid, classified as gait trainer, that might facilitate proper muscle activity and alignment during walking, but further research is necessary to prove evidence.
May
2019
Presented: EACD 2019, Paris
Raw data from 9 case studies with totally 31 patients were pooled into this meta-analysis. 94% of patients (aged 10 [2 – 58] years; 58% male; 67% non-ambulatory, 86% CP) used the Innowalk in a home based or day-care setting. Improvements was recorded for walking or weight-bearing transfer, control/strength of the trunk or head, joint mobility, sleep, muscle strength, vital function, bowel function and attention/orientation.
May
2019
Presented: EACD 2019, Paris
Eighteen non-ambulatory children with cerebral palsy participated in an exercise intervention study with a cross-over design, comparing four months of static standing to four months of dynamic standing. A highly statically significant difference was found in the metabolic adaptation, described as oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and ventilation, to static standing versus dynamic standing. Static standing and dynamic standing represents different exercise modalities. Dynamic standing through robotic walking offers new possibilities to design different exercise regimes to non-ambulatory children with cerebral palsy.
May
2019
Presented: EACD 2019, Paris
Twenty children were included to this exercise intervention study with a cross-over design. The children with CP, GMFCS-E&R level IV and V, were aged 5-17 years. 30 min of dynamic standing increases PROM and lowers the spasticity in the muscles around the joints in the lower extremities. 30 min of static standing does not alter this.
May
2018
Presented: EACD 2018, Tbilisi-Georgia
The pilot study showed the design was feasible and the measurements were widely accepted by the children and their parents. Static and dynamic supported standing gives different physiological response.
March
2014
Presented: 30th International Seating Symposium, Vancouver, Canada
The study show that the motion therapy device(Innowalk) have direct effect on the hip joint of children with CP. Effects on the range of motion and mucle tone was documented. Duration of the intervention (3 months) was a determining factor.
March
2012
Presented: 28th International Seating Symposium Vancouver, Canada
Evaluation on gait and gastrointestinal function in a 13 year old child with CP GMFCS III. Improvements was seen in range of motion on the hip, gastrointestinal function, resistance against rapid passive stretch, and walking function.
November
2011
Presented: European Seating Symposium
Effect of assisted movement in a standing position on children with former disabilities over a period of one year. To provide assisted movement the helping aid Innowalk was used. 13 children was involved in the project. All children were tested before they started up with the helping aid, after 4 weeks, 4 months and 12 months of use.