Body weight-supported treadmill training
Body weight-supported treadmill training has been studied in 5 papers since 2021: 2 trials in people, 2 reviews; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Mar 10, 2026: “Virtual Reality and Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Training in Gait Rehabilitation for Parkinson Disease: A Systematic Review”.
5 papers study it4 findingsUpdated
“However, the results of the 6MWT at T1 and T2 showed no difference between the groups (p>0.05, Table 2).”
1 of its findings points the other way.
- 2 independent labs in 2 countries
- 1 finding against
- Funders: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Espírito Santo and 1 more
- Human trial2
Studies in people
2 studies gave body weight-supported treadmill training to people and measured what changed.
no change: Has no effect on physical function
Randomized trial38 peopleBothrange, 47 to 79 years6 weeks
Patients between the ages of 40 to 80 years with a diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease
Turkish journal of physical medicine and rehabilitation, May 17, 2024
up: Improves physical function11.9% vs 3.4%
Trial11 peoplesix men and five womeneight weeks
Patients with idiopathic PD that were using subthalamic nucleus bilateral DBS
Acta ortopedica brasileira, Jan 1, 2024
What did studies of Body weight-supported treadmill training find?
2Studies of Body weight-supported treadmill training measured 2 outcomes; the most studied are physical function (2 studies) and walking endurance (1).
Physical function
no changein humans1upin humans1
2 studies
Physical function
no changein humans1upin humans1
Body weight-supported treadmill training has no effect on physical function in humans.
“However, the results of the 6MWT at T1 and T2 showed no difference between the groups (p>0.05, Table 2).”
Human trialCycle ergometer versus body weight-supported treadmill6 weeks
Turkish journal of physical medicine and rehabilitation
Body weight-supported treadmill training improves physical function in humans (11.9% vs 3.4%).
“The conventional TUG decreased significantly from baseline, following the BWST, but no differences were seen after unsupported treadmill training.”
Human trialeight weeksn = 11
EFFECTS OF TREADMILL GAIT TRAINING ON BALANCE IN PARKINSON'S PATIENTS AFTER DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION
Acta ortopedica brasileira
Body weight-supported treadmill training improves physical function in humans (conventional: Before: 12.3 ± 2.0 sec; After: 10.7 ± 1.7 sec; p < 0.01; cognitive: Before: 14.6 ± 3.5 sec; After: 12.5 ± 1.6 sec; p < 0.05).
“improvements in conventional (Before: 12.3 ± 2.0 sec; After: 10.7 ± 1.7 sec; p < 0.01) and cognitive (Before: 14.6 ± 3.5 sec; After: 12.5 ± 1.6 sec; p < 0.05) TUG performances”
Human trialafter DBS8 weeksn = 11
EFFECTS OF TREADMILL GAIT TRAINING ON BALANCE IN PARKINSON'S PATIENTS AFTER DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION
Acta ortopedica brasileira
Walking endurance
upin humans1
1 study
Walking endurance
upin humans1
Body weight-supported treadmill training improves walking endurance in humans.
“BWSTT interventions (4 to 8 wk, 20% to 40% unloading) showed moderate improvements in step length, walking endurance, and balance.”
Reviewmild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease4 to 8 wk
American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation