One step forward and two steps back: the dangers of walking backwards in therapy.
Walking backwards has been used in therapy to improve balance and gait. There has not been any systematic investigation into the effectiveness or safety of walking backwards. We present two cases in which walking backwards during physical therapy resulted in a fall and considerable morbidity. The only clear indication for treatment by walking backwards should be a task-specific need to do so, and only then if adequate safety can be assured.
Thomas
M A
MA
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.
Fast
A
A
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D018579:Patient Selection; D004856:Postural Balance; D012449:Safety; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*