Our second-year Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) students took their learning outside the classroom last Thursday with a trip to East Carolina University’s inpatient rehab unit in Greenville.
Right now, these students are diving into one of the most complex areas of physical therapy: neurological rehabilitation. This means working with patients who have had strokes, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other neurological conditions that impact movement. At ECU, they got to see exactly how therapists are helping patients take their first steps toward recovery.
Two of the most impressive tools they explored were:
- The Lokomat: Think of this as a high-tech exoskeleton for the legs. It uses sensors and motors to guide patients as they walk, stepping in to help when needed but letting them move on their own when possible. ECU is one of the few places in North Carolina with this device, so our students got a rare opportunity to see it in action.
- The ZeroG Gait Trainer: This system runs along a ceiling track and supports part of a patient’s weight, so they can focus on walking correctly without worrying about balance. It’s like having training wheels for walking, giving patients a safe way to rebuild strength and confidence.
For our students, this wasn’t just a field trip — it was a glimpse into the future of physical therapy and a reminder of the real impact they’ll make in patients’ lives.
Special thanks to ECU Health Inpatient Rehab and staff for providing our students with an opportunity to learn about the latest physical therapy technologies.
For more information visit our PTA program page.