title: A comparative trial of two walking systems for paralysed people.
abstract: A trial has been performed to compare two designs of reciprocal walking orthosis for paralysed people--the hip guidance orthosis (HGO) from Oswestry, England, and the reciprocating gait orthosis (RGO) from New Orleans, USA. Eighteen male and 4 female paraplegic subjects used each orthosis for 4 months, in a crossover study. All aspects of the provision and use of the devices were monitored, and a variety of assessments were made. Fifteen subjects were able to use both orthoses, 5 were unable to use either and 2 succeeded with the HGO but not the RGO. At the end of the trial 12 subjects chose to keep the RGO, 4 the HGO, and 6 kept neither. Those choosing the RGO liked its appearance; those choosing the HGO liked the speed of donning and doffing. The RGO was about 50% more expensive to supply than the HGO.
authors.affiliation: Oxford Orthopaedic Engineering Centre, University of Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Whittle
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Cochrane
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Chase
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Copping
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Jefferson
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Staples
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Fenn
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000191:economics; D010243:Paralysis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016138:Walking