The Pediatric Powerstep
The Pediatric PowerStep is a state-of-the-art device for delivery of activity-based locomotor training and is distributed by Power NeuroRecovery, Inc. The PowerStep is designed to facilitate the sensorimotor experience for standing and walking through repetitive practice with manually-assisted cues by specially trained physical therapists and activity-based technicians. Activity-based locomotor training targets activation of the neuromuscular system below the lesion to advance gains in neuromuscular capacity and ultimately restore function and improve a child’s quality of life. Together, pediatric physical therapists and researchers with expertise in delivering locomotor training, engineers, and industrial designers developed the Pediatric PowerStep specifically to meet the needs of children with spinal cord injury and children with other neurological conditions, age 18 months to 12 years, and those providing locomotor training. Building on the dynamic body weight support system of the adult Power Step, the Pediatric PowerStep meets the needs of both the child to receive locomotor training and the therapist/trainer to efficiently and effectively deliver activity-based locomotor training.
The development team, furthermore, recognized the need for a pediatric harness system that also supported the goal for gaining trunk control through locomotor training, the Pediatric PowerStep harness. Such a harness thus would be dynamic and provide optimal trunk support only as needed and where it was needed. Most important though, the harness would allow for the opportunity for improved trunk control and thus less and less support when trunk control needed to be challenged or when trunk support was not needed anymore. The dynamic, adjustable and light-weight harness, in three sizes, meets the needs of children from 18 months to 12 years of age and is specially designed for locomotor training.
Features advantageous for the child:
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Open, unobstructed view by child to surroundings from position on the treadmill
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Dynamic body weight support system sensitive to child weighing 25# to 125#
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Comfortable and fun lift and ride from wheelchair to the treadmill and back via the body weight support crane
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Dynamic pediatric harness
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Promotes progression of trunk control with removable circumferential trunk supports of varying widths
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Minimalist design allows free arm swing, trunk rotation, and leg movement
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Protective padding for legs and vertical support straps
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Easily adjustable via vertical support straps
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Adjustable pelvic band both anterior and posteriorSide handles, both rigid and flexible, for access by pelvic/trunk trainer to position pelvis and facilitate rotation
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Lightweight and washable
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Three sizes fit children age 18 months to 12 years
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Ergonomic advantages for therapists and trainers:
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14” treadmill width allows ease of access to the child by ‘leg trainers’
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Adjustable seat height for ‘leg trainers’ affords upright posture for trainers ranging in height from 4’11” to 6’3”
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Adjustable seat forward and backward optimally aligns each trainer’s position relative to the child for repetitive step and stand facilitation
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Adjustable bench height and foot support for ‘pelvic/trunk trainer’
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Overhead body weight support system and rotating crane lifts the child wearing a trunk/pelvis harness from a wheelchair to on/off the treadmill (eliminates need for ramp and reduces overall system footprint)
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Open, unobstructed view and access to engage the child by the therapist
System features:
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Computerized adjustment of treadmill speed and body weight support
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On-going session data readily available throughout session including body weight support, speed, session parameters, cumulative session data
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Cumulative reporting of session data for use with session documentation
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System footprint readily allows for use in pediatric clinics