gaittraining

Gait training refers to rehabilitation interventions designed to improve walking ability after neurological, musculoskeletal, or other impairments. It is used to restore walking speed, endurance, safety, and gait quality, and is commonly applied after stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathies, and musculoskeletal conditions.

Approaches include conventional physiotherapy and task-specific walking practice, both overground and on devices such as treadmills. Body-weight-supported treadmill training, often with body weight support to reduce load and assist balance, is a well-known method. Other modalities include assistive devices (canes, walkers, ankle–foot orthoses) and cues or feedback to promote symmetry and proper timing. Equipment and modalities used in gait training also encompass robotic-assisted devices (exoskeletons and end-effector treadmills), neuromuscular electrical stimulation, biofeedback, and virtual or augmented reality to enhance motivation and engagement.

Assessment and goals are individualized and typically involve gait analysis, measures of gait speed and endurance, stride length, symmetry, energy expenditure, and safety. Goals focus on enabling independent or safer ambulation, increasing walking distance, improving efficiency, and reducing fall risk. Programs are tailored to the patient’s condition, functional potential, and settings, and may occur in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, or home programs.

Evidence on gait training shows improvements in walking speed and endurance in some populations, particularly with intensive, task-specific practice. The effectiveness of certain modalities, such as some forms of robotic-assisted training or BWSTT, remains debated and is influenced by condition, timing, and intensity. Safety considerations include fall risk, medical stability, and supervision requirements.