ZeroG

Lauren Hofman, SPT

What is it?
 Gait and balance system that protects pts
from falls while providing static or
dynamic body-weight support
 Mounted to an overhead track
 Safe patient handling harness system
 Tool to assist therapists in treating patients
Set-up

1 2
Get the harness on the patient Therapist lowers the bar and
• Can do seated or standing attaches it to the patient
• This can be attached in seated if the pt
needs support with sit to stand
3
Therapist chooses the amount of
dynamic BWS (10—150 lbs)
Settings

Allowable vertical range to set for falls (6 inches, 3 feet, etc.)

• Maximum fall distance

Track distance for movement can be set – horizontal range

• Treadmill

Body weight support

Benefits
 Wide range of patient diagnoses
 CVA, TBI, SCI, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, amputees, orthopedic injury
 Patients up to 450 lbs
 Walking, balance activities, postural tasks, transfer training (sit<>stand or floor t/fs),
stairs, return to running, weight shifting
 Active trolley system that follows the pt with ambulation
 They only feel the vertical unloading forces, little horizontal forces
 Trolley tracking up to 5mph
 Tracks all the data collected while a pt is using it
Interactive Games
 Tetris
 Ball bounce
 Great for training weight shifting or pediatrics
  CPG to improve locomotor function following
chronic stroke, iSCI, and brain injury
 Clinicians should offer walking training at

Evidence Based 
moderate to high intensities, limiting BWS
Safe patient handling is highly effective at
Practice reducing injuries
 Reduced work injuries, decreased injury costs,
improved patient outcomes
Resources
 Hidler J, Brennan D, Black I, Nichols D, Brady K, Nef T. ZeroG: overground gait and balance training system. J Rehabil Res Dev.
2011;48(4):287-298. doi:10.1682/jrrd.2010.05.0098
 Hornby TG, Reisman DS, Ward IG, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline to Improve Locomotor Function Following Chronic Stroke,
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury, and Brain Injury. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2020;44(1):49-100. doi:10.1097/NPT.0000000000000303
 Teeple E, Collins JE, Shrestha S, Dennerlein JT, Losina E, Katz JN. Outcomes of safe patient handling and mobilization programs: A
meta-analysis. Work. 2017;58(2):173-184. doi:10.3233/WOR-172608
 Mayeda-Letourneau J. Safe patient handling and movement: a literature review. Rehabil Nurs. 2014;39(3):123-129. doi:10.1002/rnj.133
 ZeroG gait and Balance System i aretech. Aretech, LLC. https://www.aretechllc.com/products/zerog-gait-and-balance/#product-features.
Published April 25, 2021. Accessed October 29, 2021.