A comparative trial of two walking systems for paralysed people

A trial has been performed to compare two designs of reciprocal walking orthosis for paralysed people--the hip guidance orthosis (HGO) from Oswestry, England, and the reciprocating gait orthosis (RGO) from New Orleans, USA. Eighteen male and 4 female paraplegic subjects used each orthosis for 4 months, in a crossover study. All aspects of the provision and use of the devices were monitored, and a variety of assessments were made. Fifteen subjects were able to use both orthoses, 5 were unable to use either and 2 succeeded with the HGO but not the RGO. At the end of the trial 12 subjects chose to keep the RGO, 4 the HGO, and 6 kept neither. Those choosing the RGO liked its appearance; those choosing the HGO liked the speed of donning and doffing. The RGO was about 50% more expensive to supply than the HGO.