title: The effect of anti-gravity treadmill training for prosthetic rehabilitation of a case with below-knee amputation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this case study was to verify the efficacy and safety of anti-gravity treadmill training for prosthetic rehabilitation following below-knee amputation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient underwent left below-knee amputation as a result of diabetic foot gangrene. Since his physical strength and vitality had declined during the perioperative period, anti-gravity treadmill training was introduced for his outpatient prosthetic rehabilitation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stable prosthetic gait exercise could be carried out under guidance on the anti-gravity treadmill, quickly resulting in improved gait. Furthermore, the patient's self-efficacy and exercise tolerance were elevated after the period of anti-gravity treadmill training. At the final evaluation following 6 weeks of rehabilitation with the anti-gravity treadmill, he had acquired prosthetic gait with the assistance of a T-cane.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The anti-gravity treadmill was found to be a useful instrument for prosthetic rehabilitation following below-knee amputation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anti-gravity treadmill training has the potential to support the prosthetic rehabilitation of below-knee amputees, especially for patients whose physical strength and vitality are decreased.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan yukiomikami@mac.com.
authors.forename: Yukio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mikami
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Kouki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukuhara
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawae
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Mitsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ochi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000601:surgery; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D018472:Hypogravity; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting / Q000379:methods; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Anti-gravity treadmill; below-knee amputation; prosthetic rehabilitation