Bracing and Rehabilitation Training

Abstract

Rehabilitation training and brace wearing resulted in considerable conservation of energy in 10 elderly hemiplegic patients, the former therapeutic modality playing a larger role in this conservation than the latter. Total energy expenditure at the conclusion of treatment was still 31 per cent higher than that of the reference group. In spite of this additional energy demand, cardiovascular complications were not observed in the course of the therapeutic program. This suggests that elderly hemiplegic patients possess sufficient reserves to be able to cope with the increased physical demands of a rehabilitation program.