SELECTION OF PATIENTS
Brain damage
With brain damaged patients the
goal of working on the treadmill is not always to achieve independent
walking (see above, 4. ). Depending on the therapeutic goal (awakening
reactions, standing, walking or simply trophic effects on muscle,
bones and vascular system) different criteria apply.
If standing/walking is the immediate
aim, some voluntary activity in the lower limbs needs to be present.
Obviously, every muscle shortening is an obstacle, as are severe
emotional and vegetative instabilities. Even more so than with other
diseases, trying is the best way to proceed. One information can
be passed on: While usually progress is slow or missing, "awakening"
effects with start of stepping often within a single session, have
been observed; this led from no stepping to independent walking
or walking with little help.
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