Gait training 101: Forward Walk [Choo-choo Style]. Using two yard length (36") dowels with duct tape wrapped on the ends for handles, stand behind the patient, placing the end of one stick in each of his/her hands, and hold the other end of each stick in your hands, sticks parallel to the floor. Then count off rhythmically, "ready, walk, left - right" (or one - two) and commence walking forward, swinging the arms (and sticks) in opposite direction to the legs. That is: left leg and right arm forward, right leg and left arm forward. You monitor the steps and help coordinate the arm swing with the sticks. Aim for large steps and swings. Keep legs apart to avoid scissors gait. Walk thirty to forty feet forward, turn around and return to starting point. Repeat once.

Gait training 102: Backward Walk with Dowels. Again, with the two dowels, stand behind the patient and ask the patient to step backwards. Use the dowels to guide the patient and supervise steps. Keep legs apart to avoid scissors gait. Twenty-five feet, once will suffice.

Gait training 102 Advanced: Backward walk Without Dowels. "Spot" patient as above, exercise is repeated without the dowels. Aim for a walk of about ten feet.

Gait training 103: Walking Sideways to the Left, Walking Sideways to the Right. Stand facing the patient, with all hands on the dowels, held at waist level between you two. Step sideways and then place the other foot together. Think about keeping both feet parallel to each other, swinging to make a large step to the side, transferring weight to the swung foot, bringing the other foot together. "Swing, step, swing, step," in rhythm. Repeat ten to fifteen times first in one direction, then reverse the direction to return to the starting point.

Exercises to Strengthen the Quads

Sit and "March: Patient sits on a straight back chair. Patient takes "high steps" raising knees in "left, right" rhythm, ten repetitions.

Kick the Ball: Patient sits on straight back chair. The task is to raise one foot and straighten the leg, ten repetitions. Repeat with the other leg. This may also be done alternating legs. A weight may be strapped to each ankle. Begin with one pound weights, after weeks of improvement, increase to one and a half pound weights.

Go, Kick My Hand. Go!: Patient sits on straight back chair. Sitting facing the patient, the caregiver holds his/her hand a foot or so above ground, and patient tries to kick it.
This is a great one for an angry patient! Coach can be "easy" and lower hand, or be challenging and raise it, increasing difficulty.