Energy expenditure in stroke subjects walking with a carbon composite ankle foot orthosis.
OBJECTIVE
To measure walking speed and energy cost in patients with prior stroke with and without a carbon composite ankle foot orthosis.


METHODS
Within-group comparisons of 2 walking conditions.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 10 hemiparetic patients with a stroke at least 6 months earlier (average age 52 years) habituated to a carbon composite ankle foot orthosis.


METHODS
Subjects walked on a treadmill at self-selected speed both with and without ankle foot orthosis for 5 minutes on each occasion. Energy expenditure was measured by breath-by-breath analysis and electrocardiography. Main outcome measures were walking speed, oxygen consumption, heart rate and energy cost per metre.


RESULTS
Walking speed: without ankle foot orthosis 0.27 (SEM +/- 0.03) m/s, with 0.34 (+/- 0.06) m/s, difference 20%. Oxygen consumption: without ankle foot orthosis 8.6 (+/- 0.4) ml/kg/min, with 8.8 (+/- 0.5) ml/kg/min. Energy cost: without ankle foot orthosis 0.58 (+/- 0.07) ml/kg/m, with 0.51 (+/- 0.06) ml/kg/m, difference 12%.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of a carbon composite ankle foot orthosis in patients with stroke may increase speed and decrease energy cost during walking.
Danielsson
Anna
A
Department of Clinical Neuroscience - Rehabilitation Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. anna.danielsson@vgregion.se
Sunnerhagen
Katharina Stibrant
KS
D000328:Adult; D000842:Ankle; D002244:Carbon; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
D002244:Carbon