Paralysis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Paralysis, including details on treatment, diagnosis, facial paralysis, sleep paralysis.

Energy cost of the case Western reserve standing neuroprosthesis.

Forrest GP, Smith TC, Triolo RJ, Gagnon JP, DiRisio D, Miller ME, Murray L, Davis JA, Iqbal A

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA. forresg@mail.amc.edu

OBJECTIVE: To determine the oxygen consumption of a person with C7 American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade B tetraplegia using the Case Western Reserve/Veterans Administration (CWRU/VA) standing neuroprosthesis. DESIGN: Measure the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production of a person with C7 ASIA grade B tetraplegia at rest, standing in the parallel bars with the CWRU/VA system on, ambulating in the parallel bars, and transferring from a wheelchair to a mat with the system on. SETTING: University medical center. PARTICIPANT: A 26-year-old man with C7 ASIA grade B tetraplegia. The subject was a recipient of the CWRU/VA standing neuroprosthesis. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurement of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production using a metabolic cart. RESULTS: Oxygen consumption of the subject was 1.22mL.kg(-1).min(-1) at rest. It was 4.7mL.kg(-1).min(-1) while standing in the parallel bars, 7.2mL.kg(-1).min(-1) while ambulating in the parallel bars, and 7.9mL.kg(-1).min(-1) when transferring from a wheelchair to a mat. CONCLUSIONS: Oxygen consumption of the subject when using the system is about 2 metabolic equivalent units, which is compatible with sustained use of the system for standing.

Published 6 August 2007 in Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 88(8): 1074-6.
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