The effects of body weight support on the locomotor pattern of spastic paretic patients.

The effects of mechanically supporting a percentage of body weight on the gait pattern of spastic paretic subjects during treadmill locomotion was investigated. Electromyographic (EMG), joint angular displacement and temporal distance data were simultaneously recorded while 7 spastic paretic subjects walked at 0% and 40% body weight support (BWS) at their maximal comfortable treadmill speed. Forty percent BWS produced a general decrease in EMG mean burst amplitude for the lower limb muscles investigated with instances of more appropriate EMG timing in relation to the gait cycle. The joint angular displacement data at 40% BWS revealed straighter trunk and knee alignment during the weight bearing phase especially at initial foot-floor contact and midstance. An increase in single limb support time and a decrease in percentage total double support time were evident at 40% BWS. An increase in stride length and maximum comfortable walking speed was also seen with BWS. The use of BWS during treadmill locomotion as a therapeutic approach to retrain gait in neurologically impaired patients is discussed.