Several studies have been published and demonstrate the immediate and longer term positive effects of BBTW. Aging, neurologic, and orthopedic conditions , can be sources of postural instability and mobility loss. Individuals with those conditions can benefit from our patented BalanceWear® Balance-Based Torso-Weighting® (BBTW®) technology available in our BalanceWear® Series torso stabilizing devices.
Our products are designed to:
Stabilize the upper body, waist, and pelvis to address mobility difficulties that can occur with a loss of balance, a loss of control of posture or alignment. In many cases, rehabilitation programs including BalanceWear® have improved patients’ mobility, confidence, and independence more quickly than other treatments. See our research posters.
Technology Evolution
During a routine therapy session with a balance-challenged patient, the inventor of the BBTW technology, Cynthia Gibson-Horn, PT, discovered a novel way to stabilize patients with postural control problems. Today, this patented method is called Balance-Based Torso-Weighting (BBTW®) and is built into the BalanceWear Series of wearable mobility products.
An individual patient’s unique directional instability requires a unique pattern of weights to be placed on the torso. The BalanceWear® Assessment Kit was developed to enable clinicians to trial BalanceWear with their clients prior to ordering a customized BalanceWear® orthotic. Each client is unique and requires specific weighting depending on their specific postural control and stability requirements.
Following extensive clinical research, Motion Therapeutics, Inc. was founded to address patients’ mobility and stability problems by training physical and occupational therapists in the use of our BBTW method for evaluating their patient’s needs and to custom-fit each patient’s BalanceWear® orthotic.
What is Balance-Based Torso-Weighting?
Balance-Based Torso-Weighting is a patented evaluation system that results in a custom weighted garment. A therapist assesses an individual’s balance in twelve parameters of anterior, lateral, posterior and rotation to determine problem areas in accordance with the BBTW Assessment Method. Once the balance dysfunction is identified, small non-obtrusive weights are strategically placed on the torso (trunk) to provide sensory input to enhance stability to the patient’s directional instability and thereby stabilize the torso and address balance-related mobility difficulties. Patients frequently report improvement in their balance, mobility, and confidence during their first visit.
MTI provides innovative, non-invasive wearable postural control and balance stabilizing products that may help individuals with mobility and balance issues.
The company's patented BalanceWear® series of Truncal Orthosis vests and patented Balance-Based Torso-Weighting Methodology (BBTW®) was developed to provide help to patients balance and mobility disorders by stabilizing the trunk.
Many older individuals and those persons with neurological conditions may have a loss of postural control and compromised balance as a symptom of a medical condition. BalanceWear may be helpful for such conditions.
NOTE: BalanceWear is not a medical treatment or cure for any disease.