For most children, walking is something that happens instinctively. However, for a kid with cerebral palsy or another neurological or musculoskeletal difference as well as developmental delays, the act of walking requires more support and conscious awareness of the motor skills involved with each step. For children with those challenges, a device such as the Mustang Gait Trainer may provide invaluable support.

 Like walkers, gait trainers provide support for users as they walk, but they include features that promote upright posture and can be customized with options to address gait problems such as scissoring. The Mustang is available in four sizes to accommodate toddlers through teens and comes standard with a U-shaped frame to allow for easy transfers; a directional stabilizer; four solid caster wheels with drag function that can roll on a variety of flooring and pavement; an angle and height adjustable center spar; a chest support; and a reverse brake. 

The Mustang’s height and angle adjust easily with the turn of a knob, allowing the user to slightly lean forward into the chest pad for a more natural gait. The pad’s four pivot points not only make transfers easier, but enfold the child the way a caregiver’s hands would to provide  support as the child took a few steps. Each wheel has a lock to prevent unintentional movement in either direction; friction wheel brakes; and a lever that sets them to roll forward or backwards depending on the child’s gait orientation. 

A wide variety of options are available to meet each child’s unique needs. There are four styles of headrests made from black polyurethane to provide different levels of neck and head support. The anatomical rests include covers made from black Ducotex. They require a connecting rod for mounting on the frame. For pelvic stabilization, hip and sacral supports are available. Two styles of seats, either sling for partial weight bearing or firm for full weight bearing, and mounting sacrum and hip supports provide a chance to rest when the child becomes fatigued. Arm rests and prompts keep the trunk, neck, and head stabilized while supporting the arms, and hand bars help with forward motion. If scissoring is an issue, a leg separator may be mounted, and requires only one tool. Optional leg pads and ankle prompts help with the timing and height of each step.   

The Mustang comes in four frame sizes with each size in a different fun color that appeals to young users. The frames accommodate users with floor-to-armpit ranges of 23.5 to 31.25 inches and can support users up to 176 pounds. The frames fold for easy storage and transport at the touch of a finger.    

Suitable for use by children whether living at home or in a residential center as well as at school, the Mustang helps them not just by gait training, but allows them to enjoy enhanced peer interactions simply by being able to stand rather than being seated in a wheelchair. Users also enjoy an enhanced sense of self esteem that comes with the ability to independently explore the world on their own terms. 

Fran Jablway,
Senior Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO