Novel Ways Occupational Therapists Can Use Bodyweight Support Technology

By: Maddie Runyen, OTR/L, CSRS

 

Bodyweight support technology (BWST) is used in physical rehabilitation to offload a percentage of an individual’s body weight with a harness and robotic technology. Many existing technologies implement body weight support.

Bodyweight support technology decreases a person’s risk of further injury while also optimizing the challenges implemented in therapy. It can help increase confidence for both the patient and clinician when trying new, taxing activities in a safe environment. Strength, activity tolerance, and balance can simultaneously improve with the use of body weight support. There are various ways for occupational therapists to harness this technology for individuals at any level of care.

How Can Bodyweight Support Technology be Used?

Functional Tasks:

  • Easily applicable to activities of daily living (i.e., dressing) and instrumental activities of daily living (i.e., cleaning, cooking)
  • Transfers
  • Sitting or standing tasks
  • Quadruped or crawling

Engaging:

  • Task-specific training and specificity
  • Contextual practice
  • Leisure, fun, and creative interventions
  • Technology can be easily layered (i.e., electrical stimulation, virtual reality)

Intensity and Repetition:

  • Increases intensity and feasibility of meeting heart rate goals
  • Maximizes repetitions
  • Higher salience due to task challenge and whole-body engagement

Bodyweight Support Technology in Occupational Therapy

Practicing getting dressed

Fun, leisure activities such as playing basketball

Practicing meal preparation

Crawling and high repetition arm movement on a treadmill layered with electrical stimulation

Bodyweight support technology plays an integral role in providing the most innovative care at Sheltering Arms Institute. To find out if bodyweight support technology is right for your rehabilitative needs, please visit www.shelteringarmsinstitute.com/contact-us or call (804) 764-1000 to schedule an appointment with a therapist.

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

5 Strengthening Exercises Following Lower-Limb Amputations

During inpatient rehabilitation, your therapy team will guide you through a personalized strengthening program designed to support your recovery. This program focuses on building the key muscle groups needed for safe and effective mobility with a prosthesis. Continuing these exercises at home is essential for maintaining progress and maximizing independence.

Managing Phantom Limb Pain

Losing a limb is a life-changing experience—physically, emotionally, and mentally. One of the more unexpected and often misunderstood aspects of limb loss is phantom limb pain (PLP). Despite the limb no longer being there, individuals may continue to feel sensations—sometimes painful—where the limb used to be. But why does this happen, and what can be done about it? Let’s break it down.

Spring Into Action with the Proper Garden Tools and Accessories

Now that spring has sprung, it’s time to tend those gardens! Just be careful not to overextend your body into positions that have been dormant all winter. Gardening can require you to bend, lift, and twist in ways that can injure your back, knees, or other parts of your body. While garden tools can make your digging and planting easier, sometimes the use of tools encourages poor positioning or increases the chance of injury.

5 Exercises For Concussions

A concussion is defined as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) induced by direct or indirect force transmitted to the head. Looking at the statistics, there were 27.16 million new TBI cases globally in 2019. Nationally, there were approximately 214,110 TBI-related hospitalizations in 2020 and 69,473 TBI-related deaths in 2021.² Approximately 80% of all TBIs are classified as mild head injuries (CDC). These numbers highlight the significant public health impact concussions have worldwide, and the importance of proper evaluation and management.

What to Wear to Physical Therapy

When heading to physical therapy, comfort and functionality are key. Your attire can significantly impact the effectiveness of your session, affecting your ability to move freely, follow your therapist’s instructions, and perform exercises with ease. The right clothing not only promotes flexibility but also allows your therapist to evaluate your movements and address areas that need attention. Here’s what to wear – and what to avoid – for a successful visit!

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.