November 13, 2008
• TheraStride, innovative weight-bearing rehab system
• UAB has only system in state
• $100,000 price tag
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A revolutionary device that significantly improves rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord injuries, stroke and degenerative diseases is now in use at UAB's (University of Alabama at Birmingham) Spain Rehabilitation Center (SRC). TheraStride, from Innoventor, is a state-of-the-art body-weight support treadmill system that allows physical therapists to concentrate all their efforts and energies on helping patients achieve proper motor function and control, accelerating the rate at which patients improve balance and walking, and increase weight-bearing abilities for standing.
UAB's SRC is the only rehabilitation facility in Alabama with a TheraStride system, which combines a treadmill and support harness system with sophisticated computer software that measures variables of gait training, including speed, weight supported, amount of time walked and amount of assistance needed while walking. It allows therapists the ability to provide safe hands-on training to restore function.
"The TheraStride machine is an integral component of what is referred to as locomotor training...learning how to walk again following neurologic injury or damage," said Cathy Carver, a physical therapist at SRC. "TheraStride combined with proper therapeutic skill will help patients recover the ability to walk, and not simply help them learn to compensate with walkers, canes or other assistive devices."
"The rehabilitation field is undergoing a major shift in philosophy, away from the traditional compensation approach to functional neuro-recovery," said Cathy Newhouse, administrative director at SRC.
"Neuro-recovery works with the affected part of the body to rewire pathways of nerve impulses that have been affected by injury and/or recruit new areas within the central nervous system to take over control of an affected arm or leg. TheraStride is a tool that will help patients achieve functional neuro-recovery," Newhouse said.
TheraStride is applicable for patients with neurologic injuries, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, incomplete spinal cord injury or Parkinson's disease. SRC will host an open house to demonstrate the TheraStride system at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 18, on the 7th floor therapy unit of the Center for Psychiatric Medicine, 1713 6th Ave. South.
The complete TheraStride system cost nearly $100,000, with funding coming from the Women's Committee Of Spain Rehabilitation Center, the Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Professions, the Alabama Power Foundation and private donations.