Restoration of functional gait in paraplegic patients with the RGO-II hybrid orthosis. A multicenter controlled study. II: Physiological evaluation.

We have investigated physiological changes in 21 patients with a spinal cord injury who were fitted with the RGO-II hybrid orthosis. All parameters were measured before and after a training programme in order to evaluate the benefit of gait rehabilitation, cardiovascular adaptation, constipation, spasticity and osteoporosis. A tendency for the improvement in cardiovascular function was noticed, and a segmental decrease in right colonic transit time was observed. However there was no reproducible change in spasticity, and no gain in bone mineral density. These data suggest that the physiological benefits which occur when patients walk with the aid of a hybrid orthosis only correct the effects of immobility. In addition, we did not find any physiological improvement regarding the neurological lesion (spasticity or osteoporosis).