title: Partial weight-bearing gait retraining for persons following traumatic brain injury: preliminary report and proposed assessment scale.
abstract: The objectives of this investigation were to (1) document the recovery patterns of walking ability in two patients recovering from traumatic brain injury receiving partial weight-bearing gait retraining, and (2) introduce a new assessment scale of gait progress for patients receiving partial weight support therapy. The two patients were categorized as acute (< 6 months) and chronic (> 2 years) injury. Each patient received extensive in-patient rehabilitation, including physical therapy designed with twice-weekly partial body support gait training. The subjects made improvements in all measured indicators of gait ability (i.e. muscle strength, spasticity, standing balance). However, assessment of their improvement using standard assessment scales showed little progress. The newly devised Missouri Assisted Gait (MAG) scale, which includes developmental components of gait ability measured dramatic gains. This added precision of measurement was useful in communicating progress to both patients and providers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 121C McDonald Arena, Southwest Missouri State University, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65804, USA. djw619f@smsu.edu
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Jason L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Swaboda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016474:Weight-Bearing