Comparative trials on hybrid walking systems for people with paraplegia: an analysis of study methodology.

A new orthosis (SEPRIX) which combines user friendliness with low energy cost of walking has been developed and will be subject to a clinical comparison with conventional hip-knee-ankle-foot orthoses. In designing such comparative trials it was considered it may be worthwhile to use previous clinical studies as practical examples. A literature search was conducted in order to select all comparative trials which have studied two walking systems (hip-knee-ankle-foot orthoses) for patients with a complete thoracic lesion.

Validity and reproducibility of crutch force and heart rate measurements to assess energy expenditure of paraplegic gait.

Objective: To determine the validity and reproducibility of heart rate (HR) and crutch force measurements to estimate energy expenditure during paraplegic walking. Usefulness of these outcome measures in comparative trials was assessed in terms of responsiveness.

Design: Cross-sectional validity was determined using one single (first) measurement.

Demand for and use of functional electrical stimulation systems and conventional orthoses in the spinal lesioned community of the UK.

The use of and demand for functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems and conventional orthoses in the spinal cord lesioned population was assessed. The assessment was conducted by a postal survey of the members of the spinal injury associations in the U.K.

Speed dependence of crutch force and oxygen uptake: implications for design of comparative trials on orthoses for people with paraplegia.

Objective: To determine speed dependence of crutch force and oxygen uptake, and to discuss the implications of differences in self-selected walking speed between orthoses in a comparative trial.

Design: Cross-sectional comparison.

Setting: Treadmill experiments and gait laboratory experiments were performed at five and three different imposed walking speeds, respectively.

The influence of the reciprocal hip joint link in the Advanced Reciprocating Gait Orthosis on standing performance in paraplegia.

The effect of reciprocally linking the hip hinges of a hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis on standing performance was studied in a comparative trial of the Advanced Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (ARGO) and an ARGO in which the Bowden cable was removed (A_GO). Six male subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) at T4 to T12 level participated in the study, which was conducted using a single case experimental design. Standing balance, the ability to handle balance disturbances (standing stability), and the performance of a functional hand task during standing were assessed in both orthosis configurations in the order A_GO-ARGO-A_GO-ARGO.