A comparison of paraplegic gait performance using two types of reciprocating gait orthoses

This study examined the energy cost of ambulation using the reciprocating gait orthosis (RGO) and the modified Isocentric RGO in paraplegic spinal cord injured subjects. In 4 subjects, the rates of O2 consumption per minute, O2 cost per metre, heart rate (HR), respiratory exchange ratio, velocity, and physiologic cost index (PCI) were measured during ambulation with the two orthotic devices. PCI was calculated by dividing the difference between walking and resting HR by velocity. PCI was significantly lower during ambulation trials with the Isocentric RGO compared to the RGO, but was the only measurement that detected a significant difference between the two orthotic devices. These results indicate that energy costs of ambulation at self-selected speeds were lower with the Isocentric RGO compared to the standard RGO. Furthermore, PCI could be used as a sensitive indicator of gait efficiency in spinal cord injury subjects.