treadmill speeds for neuro rehab

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FYI -- The question came up a couple weeks ago about treadmill speeds, and we were talking about needing the option of slower speeds, under 0.5 mph, for locomotor training esp in neuro rehab.

There was a study published on gait training in people after stroke (J of Neurol Phys Ther, 2009) where they reported that the maximum tolerable treadmill speeds (speed at which the person could keep an upright posture) at the start of the therapy in these patients ranged from 0.4 - 1.0 mph. Given the shorter stride length of many of the dogs we work with compared to people, it suggests that the initial treadmill speed for many of the paraparetic/tetraparetic dogs will also be under 0.5 mph.

janJanet Steiss, DVM, PhD, PT, Dipl. ACVSMRProfessor, Dept of Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology College of Veterinary Medicine Auburn University AL 36849 ______________________________ work ph: FAX (departmental): alternate email: steisje@...