About GaitAid Training

 

GaitAid training enables the patient to:

 

1. Regain normal walking
2. Regain confidence and self esteem
3. Reduce loss of balance
4. Reduce "freezing"

GaitAid training is a learning process. Practice with the device affects and improves brain function. Improvements gained last over time even without further practice.

 

A practice session is typically 20-30 minutes of walking. A daily practice for two weeks was shown to bring great improvement in gait. The improvement may last for months after such a practice routine.

The enhanced auditory and visual feedback cues respond to the patient's motion. Sensory feedback is known to control and regulate the motor activity of the body, and, in particular the locomotion system. Visual and auditory cues elicit electrical signals which flow into the motor control areas of the brain and, from there, are directed through the brain stem and the spinal chord to the muscles which, by contraction and expansion, drive the locomotion system in an orderly manner.

 

As a result of disease, the brain receives a noisy signal from nerves whose function is to let the brain know where the body is in space. Training with auditory and visual feedback (as opposed to steady rhythm devices) helps the brain filter out the noise and create new synaptic connections. The brain learns to compensate so a correct representation of the body's position in space is present following training. This learned ability lasts. Further training strengthens the new connections which brings about greater longer lasting improvement.