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TECHNOLOGY
Innovative Device
Gives Marathon
Runner Extra Miles
N ew and innovative technologies have
a remarkable way of changing the
way clinicians deliver healthcare.
Perhaps that is most true for
therapists who work with patients to regain
skills or abilities that have been lost.
“We are looking for new technologies all the
time, trying to find ways to make our services
stand out from the crowd. You can't stay in a
technology race, but if there is something that's
obviously going to help people and have them
say, ‘Rehabilitation Hospital, Navicent Health is
where I want to go,’ we will look into it,” said
Darren Pearce, Executive Director of
Rehabilitation Hospital, Navicent Health
(RHNH).
In the past year, RHNH has acquired a number
of new devices to assist patients with their
therapy, but one somewhat futuristic
technology – the AlterG® Anti-Gravity
Treadmill® – has at least one patient running
with joy.
Keri Naccarato is a 39-year-old former
marathon and half marathon runner. Four
years ago, she developed ataxia SCA2, a rare
hereditary neurological issue that affects the
cerebrum and cerebellum. Not only has Kari's
speech been affected by the onset of the
disease, but so has her ability to balance and
BIONIC LEG
RHNH's physical therapists also
began using AlterG's Bionic Leg® in
2014. The wearable robot is designed
for those who have limited use in the
lower part of their leg, particularly
those who have suffered stroke or
orthopedic injury.
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walk. Running was completely out of
the question. Now, thanks to the
Anti-Gravity Treadmill®, she is
able to run again as part of her
ongoing physical therapy.
“The first time I used it, I
started crying. I haven't felt
that freedom in years. It is
incredible,” said Keri.
Patients are zipped into the
cocoon of the Anti-Gravity
Treadmill®, and therapists can
remove up to 80 percent of a
patient's weight, easing the pressure
on muscles and joints and allowing the
patient to walk and run in ways that they
normally can't. Although Keri's disease causes
her to walk with a wide gait and depend on a
cane, the Anti-Gravity Treadmill® allows her to
run with her former posture – feet under hips
– and without the need for a cane. The
machine also cuts extra motion, such as Keri's
incessant tremors. Cameras on each side of the
machine broadcast real-time video to a screen
that the patient and therapist can use to adjust visit NavicentHealth.org, keyword “Rehabilitation
movement and improve outcomes.
“With Keri, we use the AlterG® treadmill to
work on her heel strike. When most people
walk, they strike the ground with their heel,
whereas Keri tends to shuffle. She can get the
heel strike on the AlterG® treadmill, and so we
are creating muscle memory that will carry
over when she is not on the machine,” said
Luanne Wilson, MPT, Keri's physical therapist.
“I've used the Bionic Leg with
about 20 different people,
inpatient and outpatient,” said
Alex Cauthen, Licensed Physical
Therapy Assistant at RHNH.
The Anti-
Gravity
Treadmill® is
versatile, able
to be used for a
wide variety of
diagnoses. From athletes
recovering from injury and
surgery to the elderly living with arthritis and
stroke, the Anti-Gravity Treadmill® has proven
itself useful at RHNH.
“Rehabilitation is the last bastion of healthcare,
where you can really make a huge difference in
people's lives long term. People want two
things when they come to rehab – to be able
to regain what they have lost, and to be able to
take care of themselves. With tools like the
Anti-Gravity Treadmill®, we can actually get
them back to that point faster than we ever
have before. That's a win-win,” said Pearce.
RHNH is changing the game for patients through
technologies such as AlterG® Anti-Gravity
Treadmill®. To learn more about the services offered
by Rehabilitation Hospital, Navicent Health, please
Hospital.”
The Bionic Leg® provides support
during walking and balancing
exercises. In addition to increasing
strength and balance, therapists have
found that the Bionic Leg® increases
confidence, leading to better patient
outcomes.