BACKGROUND: The objective of this work was to analyze body weight support like an alternative for gait training. METHODS: "Portal periodicos CAPES" databases were searched for studies. The following keywords were used: body weight-supported treadmill training, supported treadmill ambulation training, Laufband therapy. By this way full articles in last 15 years were analyzed. RESULTS: The investigation show that have consensus and contradictions between authors. The consensus is about more easily gait training, better results, minor metabolic cost, security environment, adjustment to motor learning principles and work at maximum possible velocity. The contradictions are related to quantity of support offered to patients and how to remove it, training time and straightening. CONCLUSION: Gait training with BWS is an alternative to rehabilitation that shows efficiency, safety and comfortable to patient. Besides capable to gait training, BWS need more scientific studies to answers opened questions.

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