- Can practice make perfect? A novel gait training device improves gait patterns

Experimental Design: The goal of this study was to determine whether three weeks of repeated practice walking with a novel gait trainer (Vizziq Neuromuscular Trainer) would improve gait variables, such as walking speed and stride length, compared to repeated practice walking without the device. We randomly assigned 27 female participants (ages 55-88) to a control group who practiced normal walking (NW) or a group who practiced walking with the Vizziq gait trainer (VW). For three weeks, under the supervision of a researcher, both groups walked according to their assigned practice mode at a self-selected pace three times per week for 20 minutes. We assessed gait variables for each participant – both before (pre-training) and after (post-training) the 3-week training period – using a GWalk inertial sensor while participants walked with and without the device.