title: Evaluation of a novel powered hip orthosis for walking by a spinal cord injury patient: a single case study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this case study was to identify the effect of a powered hip orthosis on the kinematics and temporal-spatial parameters of walking by a patient with spinal cord injury (SCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two orthoses were evaluated while worn by an incomplete SCI subject with a T-8level of injury. Gait evaluation was performed when walking with an Isocentric Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (IRGO) and compared to that demonstrated by a newly powered version of the orthosis; based on the IRGO superstructure but incorporating powered hip joints using an electrically motorized actuator that produced active hip joint extension and flexion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The powered hip orthosis, when compared to the IRGO, increased the speed of walking, the step length and also the cadence demonstrated by this subject. Vertical and horizontal compensatory motions with new orthosis decreased. Hip angles when walking with this orthosis were comparative to those demonstrated by normal walking patterns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The hip actuator produced positive effects on the kinematics and temporal-spatial parameters of gait during level-ground walking trials, resulting in an alternative approach to walking by SCI patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mokhtar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arazpour
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chitsazan
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hutchins
authors.forename: Farhad Tabatabai
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Ghomshe
authors.forename: Mohammad Ebrahim
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Mousavi
authors.forename: Esmaeil Ebrahimi
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Takamjani
authors.forename: Gholamreza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aminian
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahgozar
authors.forename: Monireh Ahmadi
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bani
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult