Clinical Rehabilitation Data
Clinical Data
AlterG’s clinical goal is to establish scientific evidence that our unique technology improves rehabilitation and training outcomes in a measurable and significant way. The foundation for the technology has been laid and published in peer reviewed journals: AlterG’s unweighting technology reduces impact and stress on the body (ground reaction force) proportional to the amount of unweighting selected, while simultaneously natural gait mechanics and muscle firing patterns are preserved. No other unweighting modality can make this claim.
The next step is to prove AlterG’s efficacy in clinical outcomes for a variety of athletic training, orthopedic and neurological indications. This is being accomplished in the short term by building a library of clinical case studies and in the long term through randomized clinical trials. Currently over 20 independent case studies have been performed across the country with a variety of patient types and indications, all with positive (and in some cases dramatic) results.
Clinical trials with common orthopedic indications are being initiated: total knee replacement, ACL reconstruction, hip arthroscopy, knee osteoarthritis. Neurologic and geriatric studies will also commence: CVA, geriatric fall prevention, balance deficits. These studies are either underway or will begin early 2011, and will show AlterG’s broad range of applications for a variety of patient populations.
In addition AlterG has recruited a world class Scientific Advisory Board to assist and advise the Company on clinical strategy and execution. AlterG’s Advisory Board members are leading professionals in sports medicine, orthopedics, research and athletic training.
Case Studies
Click on the points on the left side to see the links to clinical case studies written by physical therapists and athletic trainers who have experience using the AlterG. These medical professionals have provided data and insights on how they were able to help their athletes and patients recover from a variety of injuries or surgical conditions utilizing AlterG’s partial weight bearing technology.
Foot
The foundation of the body in standing and walking, pain or injuries to the foot can lead to problems up the kinetic chain to the knees, hips, and even spine. The AlterG's Differential Air Pressure (DAP) technology can help decrease or eliminate pain and prevent compensatory motions, by precisely reducing weight through the foot, in standing and at heel strike. The ability to encourage and maintain these normal mechanics makes the AlterG the perfect tool for gait training at any level.
Ankle
One of the most commonly injured joints by athletes and non-athletes alike, ankle problems affect the ability to stand and walk without pain. Using the AlterG's precise partial weight bearing in rehab can help make standing activities more comfortable for these patients, while protecting healing tissue. Earlier incorporation of closed-chain activities allow patients to restore strength and proprioception more quickly, enabling return to a normal gait and running pattern sooner.
Case Studies
Knee
The knee is particularly vulnerable to both acute injury and arthritis because of its load-bearing role and functional requirements. Use of the AlterG can decrease impact at the knee joint, reduce pain and restore gait mechanics for a variety of knee conditions. The AlterG's progressive loading helps speed recovery for knee injuries and return users to the activities they love.
Case Studies
- ACL Allograft Reconstruction
- ACL and Medial Meniscus Tear, Nonsurgical Intervention
- ACL Reconstruction and Microfracture
- Bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis
- Chronic Patellofemoral Pain
- Non-surgical Knee Osteoarthritis
- Partial Meniscectomy
- Total Knee Arthroplasty
- Total Knee Arthroplasty #2
- Unicompartmental Knee Replacement
Leg
Important in absorbing impact and propelling the body forward in walking and running, the lower leg has to deal with a lot of stresses making it susceptible to overuse injuries. Decreased ground impact forces make the AlterG both a great recovery modality and a fantastic training tool. By allowing increased walking/running volume without the same stresses to the musculoskeletal system, the AlterG will allow you to gain all the benefits of exercise, without all of the pain.
Hip
One of the largest and strongest joints in the body and a key component in balance, problems at the hip can significantly impact static and dynamic stability and posture. By using AlterG's unique progressive loading technology, pain can be reduced and strength improved, so the hip can play its primary role of supporting the body's weight and providing a stable foundation for movement.
Thigh
Injuries to some of the largest bones and muscles in the body, like the femur, quads, and hamstrings, can significantly impact function and quality of life. The AlterG can help restore motion, strength, and confidence for these users, allowing them to spend less time thinking about their injury and more time focusing on the things they want to do.
Case Studies
Obesity
AlterG's unweighting technology provides a wonderful motivational tool for users by giving them the feeling of what it would be to achieve their target body weight. With less stress to their lower body, these users encounter less pain, enabling greater success with their weight programs. Defy gravity with the AlterG and take your health and your body to new levels.
Case Studies
Cardiovascular
AlterG's comfortable unweighting technology through air pressure allows for safe and precise progression of conditioning and endurance programs. With the benefit of body weight support, deconditioned patients can start walking at easier levels immediately, enabling them to start their journey to a healthier tomorrow.
Case Studies
Spine
Low back pain is one of the most common symptoms experienced and almost everyone at some point will have it interfere with work or play. One of the major contributors to this problem is the sedentary nature of most jobs and careers in our age of technology. The ability to decrease ground impact forces with walking and running in the AlterG can help encourage activity while minimizing stress to the spine. The result is a healthier, stronger back and happier, pain-free living.
Case Studies
Neurological
The ability to tap into the plasticity of the brain and encourage motor learning is the key to any neurological rehabilitation program. The AlterG's unique unweighting technology takes Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training to new levels. Enabling neurological patients to work longer and more comfortably, the result of neurological rehabilitation with the AlterG is greater progress when practicing skills needed for standing and walking.
Clinical Guidelines
Guidelines for Using the AlterG, Patients with Neurologic Problems / Nancy Byl, PhD, PT ?
Nancy Byl, PhD, PT
The goal of training patients to walk on the AlterG treadmill with lower body positive pressure unweighting (LBPP) is to generally support the ability of patients to walk despite impairments.
Guidelines for Using the AlterG, Patients with Orthopedic Problems / Jacon Chun & Dev Mishra ?
Jacon Chun, MPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS, and Dev Mishra, MD
The goals for the AlterG in assisting with the rehabilitation of patients with orthopedic issues are to 1) Support the healing tissue and 2) Restore normal walking and running mechanics.
Protocols
- Anterior Cruciate Reconstruction/ ?
Marc Guillet, PT OCS, ATC
This protocol for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR) is designed to provide the rehabilitation professional with a general guideline for patient care with the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill.
- Microfracture Procedure/ ?
Michael M. Reinold, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS; Kevin E. Wilk, PT, DPT
This protocol for rehabilitation after knee microfracture surgery is designed to provide the rehabilitation professional with a general guideline for patient care with the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill.
- Grade III Lateral Ankle Sprain/ ?
Amol Saxena, DPM, FACFAS
This protocol for Grade III Lateral Ankle Sprain is designed to provide the rehabilitation professional with a general guideline for patient care with the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill.
- Achilles Tendon Repair/ ?
Allison Granot, MPT, OCS, CSCS
This protocol for Achilles tendon repair is designed to provide the rehabilitation professional with a general guideline for patient care with the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill.
Clinical Summary
At AlterG, we are committed to proper scientific investigation of the potential clinical and athletic performance benefits of using our device. Please click the link below to find a summary of our clinical research. Summary Of Clinical Research Involving The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill®
White Papers
Stroke Rehabilitation and the AlterG / Jacon C. Chun, MPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS Fall Prevention and the AlterG / Jacon C. Chun, MPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS
