WALKING WITH THE ADVANCED RECIPROCATING GAIT ORTHOSIS (ARGO) IN THORACIC PARAPLEGIC PATIENTS - ENERGY-EXPENDITURE AND CARDIORESPIRATORY PERFORMANCE

The aim of this study was to quantify the energy cost and the cardiore spiratory response while walking at free speed with an Advanced Recipr ocating Gait Orthosis (ARGO). The study was conducted on a group of si x male paraplegic patients, age range 16-31 years (median 22.50), with complete traumatic injuries ranging from T3 to T12 and a median time lapse from the trauma of 21 months. The data was recorded 6-8 weeks af ter the patients were fitted and trained to use the orthosis. Maintain ing a standing position produced a significant increase of both the he art rate (HR) and the respiratory rate (RR), whilst the increase of en ergy consumption was not significant. The data for median speed, energ y consumption and energy cost observed during free walking was similar to that of the Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (RGO) in thoracic level pa raplegic individuals. This study indicates that in the utilisation of the ARGO the workload is not excessive when it is limited to maintaini ng a standing position. In contrast, walking results in early anaerobi c conditions and unsustainable fatigue after short distances. The grea t energy cost recorded is considered to be a main reason for the frequ ent abandonment or the low utilisation of the orthosis at follow-up.