The Physiological Cost Index of walking with an isocentric reciprocating gait orthosis among patients with T(12) - L(1) spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to compare the Physiological Cost Index of walking with a reciprocating gait orthosis to that of walking with bilateral knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs) by subjects with paraplegia resulting from T(12) - L(1) spinal cord lesions.


METHODS
Six chronic paraplegic subjects who had T(12) - L(1) spinal cord lesions and who previously wore bilateral KAFOs were recruited. Each subject was fitted with an isocentric reciprocating gait orthosis (IRGO) and received a standardized training program. Subjects were then asked to walk using the two orthotic devices along a 40 m rectangular pathway at a speed that was comfortable for them. The walking speed was measured using a stop watch, and a Polar Heart Rate Monitor was used to measure the heart rate of the subjects. The Physiological Cost Index (PCI) was calculated for comparison.


RESULTS
Ambulation using the IRGO (10.46 +/- 2.00 m/min) was significantly faster (p = 0.009) than ambulation using the bilateral KAFOs (5.51 +/- 4.30 m/min). The PCI demonstrated when walking with the IRGO (2.85 +/- 0.77 beats/m) was significantly lower (p = 0.0306) than that of the bilateral KAFOs (6.77 +/- 3.28 beats/m).


CONCLUSIONS
Paraplegic patients with T(12) - L(1) spinal cord lesions walk faster and more efficiently using the isocentric reciprocating gait orthosis as compared to using the bilateral KAFOs.
Leung
Aaron K L
AK
Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong. htaaron@inet.polyu.edu.hk
Wong
Admond F Y
AF
Wong
Eunice C W
EC
Hutchins
Stephen W
SW
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult