A reply to this article from Kay Wing:
Thank you for bringing to light the importance of intensive care over longer periods of time for stroke survivors. Research shows how critical intensity is to recovery, but is not being used in general clinics or in home settings, probably due to lack of insurance reimbursement.
This article misrepresents stroke rehabilitation. If walking 10,000 steps at home is sufficient for recovery, then all stroke survivors would be cured. I am familiar with this study, and know that the home therapy, as well as the body weight supported therapy, was intensive – not ‘usual care’ for stroke survivors. No matter how you define usual care, it is not intensive. The home care study group was seen by therapists and used rigorous interventions for strength and balance. Key words: Intensive and rigorous.
This study shows that the groups that received intensive and rigorous interventions improved twice as much in walking speed, the ability to take care of themselves and in their quality of life.
Bottom line: usual care is insufficient for stroke survivors. Why are we still allowing stroke survivors to slip through the cracks with usual care?
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February 23, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Tim Pazier, MPT
I guess the question PT facilities have is that if we can make gains in gait and balance following an intensive, task oriented program without having to invest $20,000 in a BWS system, then where does the LiteGait fit into the clinic setting?