A pilot study of partial unweighted treadmill training in mobility-impaired older adults.
BACKGROUND
Partial unweighted treadmill training is a potentially effective modality for improving fitness and function in frail elders. We tested the feasibility of partial unweighted treadmill training in older, mobility-impaired veterans.


METHODS
Eight mobility-impaired elders participated in partial unweighted treadmill training three times/week for twelve weeks. Outcome measures included gait speed, performance-oriented mobility assessment (POMA), eight foot up and go, and the SF-36 physical functioning short form.


RESULTS
There was significant improvement in treadmill walking time (+8.5 minutes; P < 0.001), treadmill walking speed (+0.14 meters/second; P = 0.02), and percent of body weight support (-2.2%; P = 0.02). Changes in physical performance included usual gait speed (+0.12 meters/second; P = 0.001), rapid gait speed (+0.13 meters/second; P = 0.01), POMA (+2.4 summary score; P < 0.001), and eight foot up and go (-1.2 seconds; P = 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Partial unweighted treadmill training is feasible in mobility-impaired elders. Improvements in treadmill training capacity resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in fitness levels and improved mobility.
Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA ; Aging Center/Pepper OAIC, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA ; Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Matthew J
MJ
Peterson
Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Nanyamka
N
Williams
Division of Speech and Audiology, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA ; Pratt School of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
Kevin
K
Caves
Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA ; Aging Center/Pepper OAIC, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA ; Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Miriam C
MC
Morey
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016138:Walking