Article

Gait training has been shown to improve the walking performance of
spinal cord-injured (SCI) patients. The use of powered hip orthoses (PHO) during
gait training is one approach which could potentially improve rehabilitative
outcomes for such subjects. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the
influence of a PHO on the kinematics and temporal-spatial parameters of walking
by SCI patients. METHODS: Four SCI patients participated in this study. Gait
evaluation was performed at baseline and at 10 weeks following intervention with
the use of a PHO and gait re-training. Walking speed, step length, vertical and
horizontal compensatory motions and hip joint kinematics were analysed prior to
and following the training regime. RESULTS: Significant increases in walking
speed and step length were demonstrated by the SCI patients when walking with the
PHO following orthotic gait training. Sagittal plane hip range of motion also
increased, but not significantly. However, vertical and horizontal compensatory
motions decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Positive effects on the kinematics
and temporal-spatial parameters of gait by SCI subjects were demonstrated
following a period of gait training with a PHO. Further studies are therefore
warranted to confirm their long term effects on the rehabilitation of SCI
subjects. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Powered hip orthosis could be used by
spinal cord injury patients. A major advantage of the orthotic gait training with
powered hip orthosis was regeneration of hip movement closer to that of normal
human walking. The orthotic gait training with the powered hip orthosis improved
the kinematics and temporalspatial parameters in a spinal cord injury patient
which also produced near-normal hip joint angle patterns during gait.

Langue : ANGLAIS