Abstract | OBJECTIVE: 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.
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Authors | Dick H Thijssen, Rebecca Paulus, Caro J van Uden, Jan G Kooloos, Maria T Hopman |
Journal | Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
(Arch Phys Med Rehabil)
Vol. 88
Issue 2
Pg. 181-6
(Feb 2007)
ISSN: 0003-9993 [Print] United States |
PMID | 17270515
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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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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