Gait Interventions

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Prerequisite Requirements

As with any intervention, one should have a method of “screening” patients to ensure they are ready and safe for a treatment. Prior to intiating gait interventions, the patient should display:

• Appropriate weightbearing status¹
• Musculoskeletal (postural) alignment¹
• ROM¹
• Muscle performance (strength, power, and endurance)¹
• Motor function¹
• Balance¹
• Static and dynamic standing control¹

Note

Many patients find difficulty dissociating movements during gait. Exercises improving pelvic and trunk dissasociation can be performed safely during seated and balance skills¹.

Scooting in the seated position provides a safe initial opportunity for learning and practicing dissociated movements of the pelvis and trunk (see Chapter 5: Interventions to Improve Sitting and Sitting Balance Skills).

References

1.

O’Sullivan SB, Schmitz TJ, eds. Improving Functional Outcomes in Physical Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. F.A. Davis Company; 2016.