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A pilot study of partial unweighted treadmill training in mobility-impaired older adults
Matthew J Peterson1, Nanyamka Williams2, Kevin Caves3
1Geriatric 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.
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.
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