An Active Pelvis Orthosis (APO) for Post-stroke Gait Rehabilitation: a Pilot Study

Inclusion Criteria:

• cerebral stroke;

• at least 3 months from cerebral event;

• hemiparesis;

• age > 18 years;

• SSV greater than 0.3 (m/s);

• SSV less than 0.8 (m/s);

• ability to ambulate with no more than minimal contact assistance;

• maximum hip width range, i.e., distance between Great Trochanters = 430 mm.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Modified Ashworth Scale >3 at the hip and/or ankle joints;

• inability to follow verbal 3 step commands;

• severe aphasia causing inability to communicate with the investigators;

• serious medical conditions (recent myocardial infarction in less than 3 months,uncontrolled congestive heart failure (CHF), uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolledseizures);

• leg deep vein thrombosis less than 6 weeks ago;

• other pre-existing neurological disorders (Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic LateralSclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia);

• Severe osteoporosis;

• severe hip / knee osteoarthritis with limitation of movement or significant pain;

• use of a colostomy bag;

• skin wounds, infection or problems at device contact locations;

• major orthopedic surgery or fractures within the last 90 days (hip, knee, ankle,foot, spine);

• cardiac surgery within the last 3 months;

• patient has recently or is currently participating in research that may influence,in PI's opinion, responses to study intervention;

• pregnancy;

• breastfeeding woman;

• implanted cardiac devices (pacemakers, ICDs);

• use of assistive device that, in the PI's opinion, could interfere with APO;

• it is recommended that participants treated with anti-spasticity agents (oral,injectable or intrathecal) keep the dosage for these medications constant throughoutthe study;

• where medically appropriate, all other concomitant medications being taken by aparticipant at entry into the study should continue at the same dose until end ofstudy.