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Decreased energy cost and improved gait pattern using a new orthosis in persons with long-term stroke.

AbstractOBJECTIVE:
To measure energy cost and gait analysis in persons with stroke with and without a newly developed orthosis.
DESIGN:
Immediate and long-term (3wk) intervention (before-after trial).
SETTING:
University medical center.
PARTICIPANTS:
Volunteer sample of 27 persons with long-term (range, 0.6-19y) hemiparetic stroke.
INTERVENTION:
Three-week familiarization to the new walking aid.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Energy cost (per distance walked), preferred walking speed (PWS), and step length. Energy cost was examined in all subjects while walking on a treadmill at 3 different velocities (PWS, PWS+30%, PWS-30%) during 3 different situations (without orthosis, with orthosis, after 3-wk orthosis familiarization). Spatiotemporal aspects of the gait pattern were examined using a 6-m instrumented walkway system.
RESULTS:
Using the orthosis immediately decreased energy cost in persons with stroke during walking at the PWS (P<.001) and significantly increased walking speed (P<.005) and step length (P<.001). After 3 weeks of familiarization to the orthosis, energy cost at the PWS and at PWS+30% showed further improvement in energy cost (P<.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
The newly developed orthosis immediately decreases energy cost and improves walking speed and step length in persons with long-term stroke. After only 3 weeks of orthosis familiarization, energy cost shows additional improvement.
AuthorsDick H Thijssen, Rebecca Paulus, Caro J van Uden, Jan G Kooloos, Maria T Hopman
JournalArchives of physical medicine and rehabilitation (Arch Phys Med Rehabil) Vol. 88 Issue 2 Pg. 181-6 (Feb 2007) ISSN: 0003-9993 [Print] United States
PMID17270515 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Topics
  • Energy Metabolism (physiology)
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic (physiopathology, rehabilitation)
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orthotic Devices
  • Oxygen Consumption (physiology)
  • Paresis (physiopathology, rehabilitation)
  • Stroke (physiopathology)
  • Stroke Rehabilitation
  • Walking (physiology)

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