A Pilot Study of Partial Unweighted Treadmill Training in Mobility-Impaired Older Adults

Abstract EN

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.