title: Comparison of new medial linkage reciprocating gait orthosis and isocentric reciprocating gait orthosis on energy consumption in paraplegic patients: a case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As energy consumption during orthotics walking has main role in rehabilitation of walking in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), the aim of this study was comparison between new medial linkage orthosis (new MLO) and isocentric reciprocating gait orthosis (IRGO) on energy consumption in paraplegic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four people with motor incomplete SCI (mean age 34.5 years, mass 73 kg and height 175 cm with injury levels ranging from T8-T12) participated in this study. Gait evaluation was performed using new MLO compared with using conventional IRGO. Walking speed and heart rate were measured to calculate the physiological cost index (PCI) to estimate metabolic energy consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reductions in energy consumption were observed using new MLO compared with using IRGO, but the difference was not statistically significant. However, walking distance and walking speed also improved, but not significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All subjects had faster speeds of walking, walked longer distances and had lower PCI when using new MLO compared to walking with IRGO. Consequently, this orthosis should be examined and considered with larger sample size.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science , Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmadi Bani
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science , Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arazpour
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology , Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Farahmand
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science , Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Kashani
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science , Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Mousavi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Salford , Salford, UK.
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hutchins