Sansom Jennifer K, Ulrich Beverly D
1 Central Michigan University.
2 University of Michigan.
Adapt Phys Activ Q. 2018 Jan 1;35(1):57-75. doi: 10.1123/apaq.2017-0024. Epub 2018 Jan 9.
Due to increased metabolic demands during walking, ∼50% of children with myelomeningocele transition to wheelchair use during adolescence/early adulthood. The purpose of our pilot study involving children with myelomeningocele was to determine: (a) energy expenditure needs during acute use of common assistive devices and (b) if walking poles are a feasible assistive device. Oxygen uptake was recorded for eight (5-12 years old) children in four conditions: independent, walker, crutches, and poles. Acute pole use did not significantly differ from independent walking net energy consumption or cost. Participants consumed more energy while walking with the walker than independently. Our pilot results suggest that (a) acute use of common assistive devices while walking increases energy consumption and cost versus independent and (b) poles are feasible assistive devices, resulting in slightly increased energy requirements. Poles may have provided "just enough" support with minimal change in energy requirements for our participants and, with practice, may enable children with myelomeningocele to remain community ambulators.
由于行走过程中代谢需求增加，约50%的脊髓脊膜膨出患儿在青春期/成年早期会转而使用轮椅。我们这项针对脊髓脊膜膨出患儿的初步研究的目的是确定：(a) 急性使用常见辅助设备期间的能量消耗需求，以及(b) 步行杆是否为一种可行的辅助设备。记录了八名（5至12岁）儿童在四种情况下的摄氧量：独立行走、使用助行器、使用拐杖和使用步行杆。急性使用步行杆与独立行走时的净能量消耗或成本没有显著差异。参与者使用助行器行走时比独立行走消耗更多能量。我们的初步研究结果表明：(a) 行走时急性使用常见辅助设备与独立行走相比会增加能量消耗和成本，以及(b) 步行杆是可行的辅助设备，导致能量需求略有增加。步行杆可能为我们的参与者提供了“刚好足够”的支撑，能量需求变化最小，并且通过练习，可能使脊髓脊膜膨出患儿能够继续在社区中行走。
