title: Design of the Wearable Power-Assist Locomotor (WPAL) for paraplegic gait reconstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop and clinically evaluate a novel assistive walking system, the Wearable Power-Assist Locomotor (WPAL).
  
  
  METHODS
  To evaluate the performance of WPAL, a clinical trial is conducted with four paraplegic patients. After fitting the WPAL, patients learned to use the WPAL. The length and duration of independent walking was measured and compared to conventional orthosis (Primewalk).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After training, all patients were able to stand, sit, and walk independently with the WPAL. Compared to a conventional orthosis (Primewalk), the duration and distance of independent ambulation increased. The physiological cost index (PCI), perceived exertion and EMG of upper extremities decreased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  WPAL might greatly enhance the possibility of restoration gait to paraplegic patients.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Japan. tanabes@fujita-hu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Shigeo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanabe
authors.forename: Eiichi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saitoh
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirano
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Katoh
authors.forename: Tomohiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takemitsu
authors.forename: Akihito
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uno
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Muraoka
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*