We love using the Rifton Pacer as one of our main gait training units at NAPA for a couple reasons. It’s easily adjustable, no tools necessary, which makes it very parent friendly. Also, there are a great number of accessories which you can order with the unit so you can really customize it to what the user needs.
Something I get asked all the time — What is the right order to prioritize setting up the gait trainer for the user?
I suggest this sequence:
Adjust the level that you need the frame to be at to then allow more optimal positioning of the other two components. My suggestion would be to first eyeball it, shooting for somewhere around naval level as a starting point. Generally speaking, in the human body, the center of mass is around the belly button level. So, that’s a really good start off point.
Once you adjust the frame, then adjust the pelvic harness. Now, this is very important because if you don’t get this position right around where the pelvis is when the user is in good standing position, then you’re not going to allow for optimal use of the legs to get the Rifton Pacer going. So, step number two, you’re going to try to adjust the pelvic harness to be positioned right around where the natural pelvis is going to hit in good standing position when the user is in the unit.
Thirdly, you’re going to adjust the chest harness. Now, I feel like the tendency to adjust the chest harness is usually too high (hitting up into the axilla or the underarm area) and too loose. So, not good if you do either of the two. Generally speaking, go ahead and shoot for the nipple line as a general ballpark area first. Make sure you adjust it so it’s fairly snug around the user. This allows for good stabilization, which keeps your user in good alignment to initiate the walking pattern.
