Relearning to walk and staying physically active are important goals for people recovering from a disabling injury or illness. Expensive robotic gait devices can help accelerate a person’s ability to walk and build conditioning, but at a cost of $300,000 or more, these devices are not readily available outside of a specialized rehabilitation hospital.
Led by renowned gait specialist Judith Burnfield, PhD, PT, researchers at the Institute for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, in collaboration with co-investigator Carl Nelson, PhD, from the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, developed a new therapeutic elliptical trainer for people of all abilities, even those with extremely limited mobility.
The device, called the Intelligently Controlled Assistive Rehabilitation Elliptical, or “ICARE” system, is based on analyses of more than 130 volunteer subjects with and without disabilities. It provides customized pedal propulsion so it is easy for individuals to begin and maintain exercise on the elliptical. The motorized control has a sensor that automatically adjusts the level of support depending on the person’s needs during exercise.
Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital is located at 5401 South Street and can be reached at (402) 489-7102 or www.Madonna.org.