Background

A standard four-wheeled walker is commonly used after surgery for hip fracture to aid ambulation. However, elderly patients experience some difficulties and are at risk for falls; therefore, attempts are being made to address these issues.

Research question

Does the non-powered automatic velocity-controlled (NPAVEC) wheeled walker improves the gait and satisfaction of patients with hip fractures when walking downhill using it?

Methods

In this cross-over study, 21 participants performed three trials of walking downhill with two walkers (an NPAVEC wheeled walker and a standard four-wheeled walker) at a self-selected speed. We compared the lower limb surface electromyography data and self-reported satisfaction scores for both walkers.

Results

Regarding the affected limb, the NPAVEC wheeled walker increased contraction in the vastus medialis (p = 0.003) and tibialis anterior (p = 0.014), and biceps femoris of the unaffected limb (p = 0.01). Additionally, participants reported greater satisfaction when using the NPAVEC wheeled walker (p < 0.001).

Significance

An NPAVEC wheeled walker, compared to a four-wheeled walker, can assist patients recovering from hip fracture when walking downhill by improving the gait and increasing satisfaction.

中文翻译：

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跨接研究：无动力自动速度控制轮式助行器可改善下坡行走时髋部骨折患者的步态和满意度

背景

手术后通常使用标准的四轮助行器治疗髋部骨折，以帮助下肢活动。但是，老年患者会遇到一些困难，有跌倒的危险；因此，正在尝试解决这些问题。

研究问题

在下坡行走时，无动力自动速度控制（NPAVEC）轮式助步车是否能改善髋部骨折患者的步态和满意度？

方法

在这项跨界研究中，有21名参与者进行了三个试验，其中包括两个步行者（一个NPAVEC轮式步行者和一个标准的四轮式步行者）以自行选择的速度下坡步行。我们比较了两个步行者的下肢表面肌电图数据和自我报告的满意度得分。

结果

对于患肢，NPAVEC轮式助行器增加了未受累患肢的内侧股骨（p = 0.003）和胫骨前部（p = 0.014）以及股二头肌的收缩（p = 0.01）。此外，参与者报告使用NPAVEC轮式助行器时满意度更高（p <0.001）。

意义

与四轮助行车相比，NPAVEC轮助行车可通过改善步态和增加满意度来帮助患者下坡行走时从髋部骨折中康复。