Comparison of spatiotemporal gait parameters with a spinal orthosis and without a spinal orthosis on level ground and stairs

[Purpose] This study attempted to examine the impact on the pattern of walking on both level ground and stairs after restricting the movement of the spine and the trunk of the body by using a spinal orthosis. [Subjects and Methods] Forty healthy males in their 20s were selected as the sample, which was randomly and evenly divided into two groups: (1) the WT group (with a thoracolumbosacral orthosis group) and (2) the WOT group (Without a thoracolumbosacral orthosis group). The spinal orthosis used in this study was a thoracolumbosacral orthosis called a plastic body jacket. [Results] In walking on level ground, step width showed a significant difference, but no statistically significant difference was found between the WT group and the WOT group with respect to the other variables. In walking on stairs, the double stance phase showed a statistically significant difference during stair descent in the WT group compared with the WOT group. [Conclusion] It was proven that wearing a TLSO increased walking stability in the case of walking on level ground and stairs. Hence, it is believed that proper use of a spinal orthosis can play an ancillary role in daily life and therapeutic interventions.