title: A functional electric orthesis on the paretic leg improves quality of life of stroke patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hemiparesia changes quality of life of patients with stroke making difficult a normal life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of Functional Eletric Orthesis (FEO) applied over the paretic leg in the quality of life of stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The quality of life of 50 stroke patients of Associacao de Assistencia a Crianca Deficiente (AACD) was evaluated with SF-36 questionnaire before and after the treatment with a FEO for rehabilitation of walking. We analyzed data according to gender and affected hemisphere.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average values from all domains of SF-36 improved significantly (p<0.001). Female patients improved more than male in Emotional Domain (p=0.04) and presented a trend to be better regarding Bodily Pain and Social Functioning. Patients with right hemiparesia improved more than those with left hemiparesia (p=0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FEO over a paretic leg is efficient to improve quality of life of stroke patients, mainly Physical Functioning.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Neurology and Internal Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mara Renata
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Luciane B C
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Gilmar F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Prado
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000592:standards*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010291:Paresis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012737:Sex Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology