Standard procedures
ADAPTED MULTIGYM
Purpose:
To provide a wide range of appropriate and safe exercise options to guests on the basis of the therapist’s clinical reasoning and with clear goals in mind.
Progressive resistance training is beneficial in a number of neurological conditions, including MS, Parkinson’s Disease, stroke and MND.(1) It is unlikely that, during their limited stay at Leuchie, any long-lasting benefits will be noticed, but the use of the multigym will also enhance the guest’s stay and may provide motivation to continue resistance training outside of Leuchie House. It is also likely to impact positively on the guest’s mental health.
- The multigym must only be used with Therapy team supervision.
- The multigym is only to be used by guests who have been cleared to use it by the Physiotherapist.
- Guests must not be allowed to self-propel onto the ramp. The Therapy team member must take control of the wheelchair in order to ensure safety.
- Manual wheelchair brakes must be applied before using the equipment.
- Power chairs must be switched off before using the equipment.
- All usual infection control procedures must be followed and the equipment wiped down between uses.
- Guests may only follow an exercise plan agreed by the physiotherapist.
- The physiotherapist should use their clinical reasoning skills to decide if use of the multigym is advised and to create an exercise plan that should be followed.
- Notes of the session must be completed as usual and must specify the exercise carried out, the number of sets/reps achieved and any adverse effects noted.
- The Therapy team member supervising the multigym session must monitor the guest’s condition looking for signs of tiredness and muscle fatigue. If these are present, either the weight or the reps/sets should be reduced (or both).
- If a guest complains of pain while using the multigym, the session should be stopped, the pain investigated and treated where appropriate and the physiotherapist should be consulted before nay further sessions are initiated.
- Guests who do not take part in strength training at home, should be warned of the likelihood of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) in the muscle groups used. DOMS is usually experienced as achy and tender muscles, but there can also be swelling and/or bruising. It usually appears in the 12-48 hours following exercise and should be treated with gentle movements and stretches. Self-massage can also help to reduce the ache.
(1) See https://www.physio-pedia.com/Strength_Training_in_Neurological_Rehabilitation#:~:text=Gavin%20Williams-,Strength%20Training%20in%20Evidence,when%20added%20to%20functional%20exercises
Created: 05/02/25 Amended: