Effects of wearing halo vest on gait: three-dimensional analysis in healthy subjects.

STUDY DESIGN: The effects of a halo vest on the gait were studied. The motions of the head, shoulder girdle, trunk, and hip were analyzed with the vest and tong either connected by bars or unconnected.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze effects of wearing a halo vest using three-dimensional motion analysis.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: We have little information on the effects of halo vests on gait.

METHODS: Twenty-eight healthy male volunteers participated (age, 32 +/- 7.2; average +/- SD). The halo tong and vest were applied in a noninvasive way. Gait patterns and three-dimensional motions of the head, shoulder girdle, trunk, pelvis, and hip in control and halo vest gaits were analyzed using rectangular force plates and a VICON system (Vicon Motion System Ltd., Oxford, UK).

RESULTS: The halo vest decreased the gait speed; it increased the duration of strides and decreased the length of strides. It also decreased the motions between the shoulder girdle and the trunk, the trunk and the pelvis, and decreased the motion of the hip in 3 planes.

CONCLUSION: Our study provides preliminary evidence that halo vests increase stride time and decrease stride length and reduce motions between the shoulder girdle and the trunk, the trunk and the pelvis, and decreases the motion of the hip.