http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/honda-develops-walking-assist-device-to-aid-elderly-disabled/ Autoblog Comments for http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/honda-develops-walking-assist-device-to-aid-elderly-disabled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/honda-develops-walking-assist-device-to-aid-elderly-disabled/
Having worked as a Physical Therapist in my previous career, I fail to see any advantage this piece of equipment provides.

The typical person that uses a walker or cane does so because they have balance issues. They lean on the walker or cane when they lose their balance. Therefore, this machine will not be advantageous for this person.

Second, a person with weak leg muscles needs to strengthen them, not use an active/passive device to force them to move the joint. When you don't use the muscle you will lose strength and flexibility and whatever movements the muscle does will become more difficult. Full Range of Motion exercise is the key!

Other than the issues pointed out above...this piece of equipment sounds totally awesome!!! ;-)]]>Apr 22nd 2008 3:14PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/honda-develops-walking-assist-device-to-aid-elderly-disabled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/honda-develops-walking-assist-device-to-aid-elderly-disabled/Apr 22nd 2008 3:20PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/honda-develops-walking-assist-device-to-aid-elderly-disabled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/honda-develops-walking-assist-device-to-aid-elderly-disabled/Apr 22nd 2008 3:22PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/honda-develops-walking-assist-device-to-aid-elderly-disabled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/honda-develops-walking-assist-device-to-aid-elderly-disabled/
@Shawn - I formed a mental picture of this as I read it and almost spit water out on my monitor. Thanks! ;-)]]>Apr 22nd 2008 3:41PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/honda-develops-walking-assist-device-to-aid-elderly-disabled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/honda-develops-walking-assist-device-to-aid-elderly-disabled/
I could see pressure points on that assistive walking device. Honda should consider the possibility of pressure sores, not even Stage 1 ("blanching" on vascular skin area, etc.) to happen on the contact areas...not to mention the usual suspects, on bony prominences. It ain't a joke to fix a decubitus nowadays!]]>Apr 22nd 2008 6:16PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/honda-develops-walking-assist-device-to-aid-elderly-disabled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/honda-develops-walking-assist-device-to-aid-elderly-disabled/Apr 26th 2008 8:13AM