title: Gait assessment during the initial fitting of an ankle foot orthosis in individuals with stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate if the measurement of gait parameters, examined during the fitting of an Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO), has a beneficial effect on the gait pattern of individuals who were affected by a stroke. Also, this study seeks to provide evidence regarding the use of the portable GaitRite system in a clinical setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Before-after trial conducted at a stroke outpatient orthotic clinic of a freestanding rehabilitation hospital. Thirteen individuals with acute and 27 individuals with chronic stroke participated in the assessment of gait velocity, cadence, step length and stance phase.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AFO use significantly improves gait velocity, cadence, step, and stride length in individuals with hemiparesis due to stroke.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the current study indicate that the assessment of temporo-spatial characteristics of gait can be incorporated into a clinical routine. This will be useful for patient education, justification of medical necessity of paying, monitoring progress, and in the decision-making process of weaning patients off orthoses.
authors.affiliation: Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, Wheaton, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Gouri
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chaudhuri
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hasso
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: D'Souza
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wening
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: Alexander S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Aruin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation