P-3-01-04
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH A HKAFO SYSTEM USING A MEDIAL SINGLE HIP JOINT FOR PATIENTS WITH LOCOMOTIVE PROBLEMS
M. Baba, E. Saitoh, S. Sarai, T. Teranishi, M. Okada, & A. Mizuno
(Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan)
A hip-knee-ankle-foot orthotic system with medial single hip joint (MSH-KAFO) was invented by McKay (Polymedic) in 1992. This system has obvious advantages over other orthotics; easy to don and doff, compatible with a wheelchair using, and good appearance. Moreover the standing stability of this system is greatly better than other systems.
We applied MSH-KAFO to six paraplegics (4 males and 2 females, 19-46 y.o., ASIA level T5-L3), one incomplete tetraplegic (a male, 24 y.o., ASIA level T4) and two patients with a head injury who had double hemiplegia (1 male 22 y.o. and 1 female 31 y.o.) for their standing and walking training exercises.
All patients with a spinal cord injury could stand without support immediately just after donning this system, and they could walk with crutches after about 1-2 week training exercise period. Concerning two patients with a head injury who had mild consciousness disturbance, walking training exercises using this orthotic system seemed to be helpful in improving consciousness.
In this report we will show their progress in their training exercises and the change in walking abilities.
P-3-01-05
THE EFFECTS OF ARGO ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY
Berrin Durmaz, Yesim Sahin (Ege University, IZMIR, TURKEY)
This study was designed to investigate the effects of Activating Reciprocal Gait Orthosis (ARGO) on handicap, activities of daily living (ADL), quality of life and depression.
30 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) were included in this study. Detailed demographic data and history about SCI were noted. Neurological level of injury and Frankel classification of the spinal cord lesion were evaluated. The time between injury and the assessment period was at least 6 months. 15 patients have been using ARGO at least 3 months. Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART) was used to quantify the extent of handicap. The scores of physical independence, mobility, occupation, social integration, economic self-sufficiency dimensions and total CHART score were evaluated. Activities of daily living were assessed with Modified Barthel Index. Life Satisfaction Index was used to assess the quality of life. Depression was evaluated with Beck Depression Inventory.
The differences between the scores of CHART, Modified Barthel Index, Life Satisfaction Index and Beck Depression Inventory were statistically significant in patients with using ARGO or not using it (p<0.05).
The results show that ARGO increases improvement on handicap, activities of daily living, quality of life and depression in patients with SCI.