Anterior ankle-foot orthosis effects on postural stability in hemiplegic patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of an anterior ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) on static and dynamic postural stability in hemiplegic patients.


METHODS
A cross-sectional assessment of hemiplegic subjects with and without an AFO.


METHODS
Outpatient department of a rehabilitation hospital.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 24 subjects who had been prescribed an anterior AFO.


METHODS
Postural sway index and postural symmetry (body weight distribution through the affected leg) when standing were measured as static postural stability. Maximal balance range in anterior-posterior and lateral directions and the affected leg's weight bearing after weight shift to affected side were measured as dynamic postural stability.


RESULTS
When wearing the anterior AFO, there was no significant difference and small effect size (r<0.3) in postural sway index (p = .35), postural symmetry (p = .21), and maximal balance range in anterior-posterior direction (p = .46). There was a significant improvement and large effect size (r>0.5) in lateral weight shifting (p<.01) and weight bearing through the affected leg after weight shifted to the affected side (p<.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The significant effects of the anterior AFO in long-term hemiplegic patients were on lateral weight shifting and weight bearing through affected leg after weight shifted to the affected side. Postural sway, postural symmetry, and anterior-posterior weight shifting were not significantly affected.
Chen
C L
CL
School of Rehabilitation, Chung Shan Medical and Dental College, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Yeung
K T
KT
Wang
C H
CH
Chu
H T
HT
Yeh
C Y
CY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000842:Ankle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001835:Body Weight; D001915:Braces / Q000592:standards*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015987:Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications