Oxygen Uptake During Exoskeletal-Assisted Walking in Persons With Paraplegia

Steven Knezevic, Pierre K. Asselin, Christopher M. Cirnigliaro, Stephen Kornfeld, Racine R. Emmons, Ann M. Spungen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To determine the cardiometabolic demands associated with exoskeletal-assisted walking (EAW) in persons with paraplegia. This study will further examine if training in the device for 60 sessions modifies cost of transport (CT). Design: Prospective cohort study. Measurements over the course of a 60-session training program, approximately 20 sessions apart. Setting: James J. Peters Bronx Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury Research Center. Participants: The participants’ demographics (N=5) were 37-61 years old, body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 22.7-28.6, level of injury from T1-T11, and 2-14 years since injury. Interventions: Powered EAW. Main Outcome Measures: Oxygen consumption per unit time (V˙O2, mL/min/kg), velocity (m/min), cost of transport (V˙O2/velocity), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Results: With training: EAW velocity significantly improved (Pre: 51±51m; 0.14±0.14m/s vs Post: 99±42m; 0.28±0.12m/s, P=.023), RPE significantly decreased (Pre: 13±6 vs Post: 7±4, P=.001), V˙O2 significantly improved (Pre: 9.76±1.23 mL/kg/m vs Post: 12.73±2.30 mL/kg/m, P=.04), and CT was reduced from the early to the later stages of training (3.66±5.2 vs 0.87±0.85 mL/kg/m). Conclusions: The current study suggests that EAW training improves oxygen uptake efficiency and walking velocities, with a lower perception of exertion.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)185-195
Number of pages11
JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume102
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2021

Keywords

  • Oxygen consumption
  • Rehabilitation
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Walking

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