Comparison between gait-assisting robot (WPAL) and bilateral knee-ankle-foot orthoses with a medial single hip joint in gait reconstruction for patients with paraplegia

Abstract

Hirano S, Saitoh E, Tanabe S, Katoh M, Shimizu Y, Yatsuya K, Tanaka H, Kagaya H, Ishihara K, Uno A. Comparison between gait-assisting robot (WPAL) and bilateral knee-ankle-foot orthoses with a medial single hip joint in gait reconstruction for patients with paraplegia. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2015; 6: 21-26.Objective: To evaluate the utility of a gait-assisting robot, Wearable Power-Assist Locomotor (WPAL), in gait reconstruction for patients with paraplegia.Subjects and Methods: The subjects were 12 patients with paraplegia who were able to walk with minimum assistance, under supervision, or without any assistance and supervision using a bilateral knee-ankle-foot orthoses with a medial single hip joint or WPAL. The duration and distance of walking were measured and the required level of assistance was evaluated with the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) scale as the subjects walked at a comfortable speed with the orthoses or WPAL.Results: The duration and distance of walking with the WPAL were significantly longer in 8 and 11 subjects, respectively, compared with use of the orthoses. FAC scores were 2, 3 or 4 with orthoses and 4 using the WPAL, indicating less assistance was needed with the WPAL.Conclusion: The WPAL enabled patients with paraplegia to walk for a longer time and longer distance with less assistance.