Read below for answers to the most frequently asked questions about ActiveStep
How is ActiveStep different from other treadmills and fall prevention devices?
• ActiveStep can be used as both a standard walking treadmill and as a fall simulator.
• ActiveStep has built-in perturbation profiles that mimic trips and slips while users are standing or walking. These profiles can be customized to occur in any pattern.
• The eTRIP™ feature delivers perturbations during specific gait cycle events.
• Other features include an integrated pressure mat, an inertial measurement unit, a support arch, and proprietary software that allows you to record trials and synchronize ActiveStep data with external data collection systems
Do therapists use ActiveStep for perturbation training?
Yes, ActiveStep can be used as a training tool for individuals who have difficulty controlling the motion of their body following a trip or slip. ActiveStep provokes task-specific responses to fall-like situations and is therefore quite different than other types of perturbation training. Therapy outcomes are recorded automatically by ActiveStep and can be used in supporting documentation for therapy reimbursement.
Why do some people fall when they trip or slip but other people recover?
Individuals fall when they are unable to adequately respond to a perturbation. In many cases, a recovery step is critical to maintain balance. The automatic stepping response diminishes with age or injury, but it can be improved with practice through dynamic perturbation training, such as with ActiveStep.
How does a dynamic perturbation on ActiveStep compare to a trip or slip in the environment?
The way the body responds to perturbations on ActiveStep is very similar to the biomechanics of the stepping response when individuals slip or trip during over-ground walking. Several studies have demonstrated that ActiveStep training reduced the likelihood of falling during an over-ground trip or slip. This means that training on ActiveStep is transferable to real tripping and slipping events. For more information regarding ActiveStep research, click here.
Is the ActiveStep system based on research?
ActiveStep was founded on biomechanics research and it is consistently used in ongoing studies about fall mechanism and fall prevention. For a complete list of publications featuring ActiveStep, click here.
Is ActiveStep only a research tool?
No, ActiveStep is based on over 25 years of research, but it has also been designed for use in a clinical setting. Click here for a complete list of the features of ActiveStep.
What are some types of facilities that use ActiveStep?
Some examples of facilities that have ActiveStep include: physical therapy practices, hospitals, geriatric research facilities, universities and biomechanics laboratories.
Can ActiveStep be used with assistive devices?
Yes, ActiveStep training allows for the use of assistive devices such as canes and walkers.