title: Evaluation of a novel powered gait orthosis for walking by a spinal cord injury patient.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this case study was to analyze the effect on gait parameters of a new design of powered gait orthosis which applied synchronized motions to both the hip and knee joints when utilized for walking by a spinal cord injury (SCI) patient.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two orthoses were evaluated while worn by an incomplete SCI subject. Gait evaluation was performed when walking with an isocentric reciprocating gait orthosis (IRGO) and compared to that demonstrated by a newly developed powered version. This new orthosis was based on the IRGO superstructure but incorporated powered hip and knee joints using electrically motorized actuators.
  
  
  RESULTS
  These gait parameters were improved when compared to standard IRGO and initial testing with the orthosis with only the hip or the knee joints activated in isolation. Maximum hip flexion and extension angles, as well as the maximum knee flexion and extension angles all increased when walking with the powered RGO compared to the IRGO.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gait evaluation of this newly developed orthosis showed improvement in measured parameters when compared to walking with an IRGO. Clinical relevance This case study gave the authors confidence to extend the research to a more extensive study with a group of SCI patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of 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: Mohammad Ebrahim
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Mousavi
authors.forename: Esmaeil Ebrahimi
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Takamjani
authors.forename: Farhad Tabatabaei
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Ghomshe
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; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult