Body Weight & Balance Technology

Body Weight Support System at Garnet Health Medical Center

Garnet Health Medical Center’s state-of-the-art assistive body weight and balance system allows our rehabilitation therapists to help individuals safely improve balance, gait and functional independence by supporting a portion of the patient’s weight during rehabilitation sessions.

Advanced fall protection prevents injury by catching an individual if they start to fall, which is particularly important for patients who may be experiencing weakness and poor coordination.

The technology is suitable for patients during rehabilitation for diagnoses, including:

• Stroke
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Cerebral Palsy
• Amputation
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Orthopedic Injuries
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Neurological Disorders
• Balance Disorders
• Hip/Knee Replacements

How does it work?

1. A therapist secures the individual comfortably into the harness.
2. The harness attaches to a ceiling-mounted track and robot.
3. As therapy proceeds, weight support provided by the apparatus can be individualized at the push of a button, depending on progress and ability level.
4. The ceiling-mounted track allows patients the freedom to practice activities without interference.
5. Data from each session is captured in a secure database and used to monitor progress and plan future sessions.

For what can it be used?

• Learning to Anticipate Loss of Balance
• Interactive Balance Games
• Walking
• Getting Up from a Chair
• Walking Up and Down Stairs
• Stepping Over Floor Obstacles
• Reaching Activities
• Getting Up from the Floor
• Using Assistive Devices (e.g. Canes, Walkers, Crutches)