Oxygen consumption, oxygen cost and physiological cost index in polio survivors: a comparison of walking without orthosis, with an ordinary or a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic knee-ankle-foot orthosis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine, for polio survivors, whether walking with a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic knee-ankle-foot orthosis (carbon KAFO) is more efficient than walking with an ordinary KAFO or without an orthosis.


METHODS
Consecutive sample.


METHODS
Post-polio clinic, University Hospital of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan.


METHODS
Eleven polio survivors who had a carbon KAFO prescribed at the post-polio clinic.


METHODS
A carbon KAFO was prescribed, fabricated and inspected.


METHODS
Oxygen consumption, oxygen cost and physiological cost index.


RESULTS
An ordinary KAFO weighed 1403 g (standard deviation(SD) 157 g), whereas a carbon KAFO weighed 992 g (SD 168 g). Subjects walking with a carbon KAFO showed a tendency to increase step length, and to increase speed significantly compared with walking without an orthosis and with an ordinary KAFO (paired t-test, p < 0.05). Oxygen consumption per body weight, oxygen cost (O2 consumption for 1-m walk divided by body weight) and physiological cost index ((heart rate at 3-min walk - heart rate at rest) /speed) were significantly lower than those walking without an orthosis (-16%, -35%, -33%; paired t-test, p < 0.05) and were lower than those walking with an ordinary KAFO (-9%, -14%, -15%; paired t-test, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The gait efficiency of polio survivors with a carbon KAFO was objectively better than those without an orthosis or with an ordinary KAFO.
Hachisuka
Kenji
K
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Yahatanishi, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan. kenhachi@med-uoeh-u.ac.jp
Makino
Kenichiro
K
Wada
Futoshi
F
Saeki
Satoru
S
Yoshimoto
Nami
N
D002244:Carbon; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
D002244:Carbon