Treadmill walking with a harness - it helped SCA patients.

[sunvox]

So here is a paper I found today. The number of people studied was small, but it is a definite affirmation of what I have been saying over and over . . . talk to your doctor and get yourself on a treadmill . . . with an assisted device if needed!

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In this study the researchers attached a harness to the patients and made them exercise on a treadmill. The harness kept the patients safe from falling and alleviated some of the weight as well. As I mentioned the study was very small in size and the patients only went twice a week for 10 weeks, but even so there was enough improvement in gait and general conditioning to make the researchers want to try a larger and longer study.

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I imagine it boils down to whether or not medical insurance would pay for such therapy, but to me if I was a SCA patient that couldn't use a treadmill at home safely, I'd sure be interested in getting a doctor's prescription to try exercising on a treadmill with a harness.

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Partial Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Training in Spinocerebellar Ataxia

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Jackieb301]

👍 thank you

[Pekingese2]

Hi. I bought a treadmill went on it for fithteen minutes a day I had to hold on to it for dear life but I did it Trouble was I was very slow and to be honest was a tad bored I do get tired very easy Think I will try and persevere Cheers👍

[neta]

Dr Tom Clouse had me work on s treadmill which he shut off. THE idea was to make my legs work It was very hard.. Where is the harness from? Thanx 4 this. N

[sunvox in reply to neta]

Hi Neta - I'm afraid I don't know anything about where they get the harnesses. I imagine they are specialized equipment for therapy centers. Joe

[FFNick]

Weekly pay to use council treadmill which goes slow enough (0.5 mph). Do not have to maintain nor upgrade. Subsidised use as "doctor's recommendation". Has fall tether to shut it off if fall occurs, not yet. Has side arms and grab bar in front. Display can show TV stations, play music, show pre-recorded "runs" and has Bluetooth ability to play what is on your phone etc. Display also shows elapsed time and other run information. Treadmill is heavy enough to lean on.

This is sometimes the only 10+ minute walk each week. Venue is fully accessible with ramps, powered doors and choice of disabled toilets.

[Happyfacexx]

Hi sunvox I have been looking for a second hand treadmill that was cheap enough and finally got one yesterday! I also bought a health monitor ( cheap imitation Apple Watch but works well ) so now I will be able to walk every day and try to increase my steps, Incidentally did you go to the conference at the weekend?

[sunvox in reply to Happyfacexx]

No sadly didn't make it to the conference, but so glad you got a treadmill. I really believe walking/running as fast as possible for 30 minutes is the single best help for ataxia.