Title : Comparison of the effects of sliding mechanism and reciprocating hinge-type medial linkage of knee-ankle-foot orthoses on walking ability in subjects with spinal cord injury
Abstract:
Objectives: This study evaluated the efficacy of two different medial linkage mechanisms (sliding mechanism (SM) and medial linkage mechanism associated with reciprocating gait motion (MLRGM)) used on patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Methods: Eight volunteer SCI subjects were fitted with a knee-ankle- foot orthoses (KAFO) equipped with 1) a sliding mechanism (SM) and 2) a medial linkage mechanism (MLRGM). Subjects walked at their self-selected speed along a flat walkway to enable a comparison of walking speed, endurance, and the resulting physiological cost index (PCI) to be performed.
Results: The use of a KAFO fitted with the MLRGM resulted in improvements to walking speed, distance walked, and energy costs when compared with the more standard SM. However, the time required to don and doff the KAFO increased with use of the MLRGM, but this difference is not statistically significant.
Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the use of a KAFO with a MLRGM could provide significant benefits for patients with a SCI when compared to a KAFO with a standard sliding mechanism.
Keywords: Spinal cord injury, walking ability, sliding mechanism, medial linkage mechanism associated with reciprocating gait motion
