Researchers from the department of orthotics and prosthetics at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran, compared the energy expenditures of five people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) using an HKAFO, an isocentric reciprocating gait orthosis (IRGO), and a powered gait orthosis (PGO).
The participants, experienced HKAFO users, walked along a flat walkway using each of the three types of orthoses at their self-selected walking speed. A stop watch and heart rate monitor were used to measure the walking speed and heart rate of each patient with each orthosis.
According to the researchers, the data established that the distance walked and the physiological cost index (PCI) improved with both the PGO and the IRGO when compared to the HKAFO.
Complete details of the study can be found in the journal Spinal Cord.
