The paediatric treadmill is a mode of therapy provided at selected Sneh centres that focuses on improving the child’s strength and muscle endurance required for walking. The therapist manually assists by facilitating the movement of the legs when the child is in an upright position.

BENEFITS AND EVIDENCE:

Walking on the treadmill activates specific neurons present in the spinal cord and parts of the brain responsible for repetitive forward movements of the legs, thus allowing the child to learn the process gradually. The technique has shown to be effective in training children with the following conditions:

Down Syndrome
Cerebral palsy
Spinal cord injury
Spina bifida
Traumatic brain injury
Sensory processing disorders including apraxia,
autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Improvements are found in the domains of posture, gait patterns, cardiopulmonary
endurance, participation in activities such as walking and engaging in sports activities
in school; which are essential for developing social interaction, especially in the young
child. Children also gain improved balance reactions and visual processing skills. Under
supervision, no adverse effects have been reported with the use of the treadmill in children.

HOW THE SESSIONS ARE CONDUCTED:

The child walks on the treadmill while wearing comfortable footwear or prescribed orthoses, and some may require to be held in the upright position with the help of a body harness. According to evidence, treadmill sessions can be as frequent as two to five times per week, lasting 5 minutes to a half-hour, at a regular walking speed ranging from 0.8 to 4.8 km/h. The course of therapy varies from 2 to 16 weeks. The therapist assists by maintaining postural alignment and good coordination between the limbs.

In conclusion, the paediatric treadmill is a simple yet potent intervention technique that not only trains a child to walk but also enriches their lives.