Decreased Energy Cost and Improved Gait Pattern Using a New Orthosis in Persons With Long-Term Stroke

(A) The front and (B) back of the orthosis^a as used in this study.

Experimental protocol. Before the experiment, randomization determined the order of the protocol (first trial with or without orthosis). First, the spatiotemporal aspects of the gait were examined. Subsequently, energy cost was determined at: (1) the preferred walking speed (PWS), (2) 30% below the PWS (PWS−30), and (3) 30% above the PWS (PWS+30).

Oxygen cost at the preferred walking speed and 30% below and above the preferred walking speed in persons with long-term hemiparetic stroke (n=19). Each subject performed these walking speeds without the orthosis (baseline [day 1]) and with the orthosis on day 1 (orthosis [day 1]) and after 3 weeks familiarization (orthosis [day 21]). Values are mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). *P<.05 vs baseline (day 1); ^†P<.05 vs orthosis (day 1).

Correlation between FAC score and the relative change in energy cost between baseline and after 3 weeks of familiarization in persons with long-term hemiparetic stroke (n=19). For this between-subject correlation, energy cost was normalized to body weight. Values are mean ± SEM.