Gait assessment during the initial fitting of an ankle foot orthosis in individuals with stroke.
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.
Rao
Noel
N
Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, Wheaton, Illinois, USA.
Chaudhuri
Gouri
G
Hasso
Daniel
D
D'Souza
Keith
K
Wening
Jason
J
Carlson
Cheryl
C
Aruin
Alexander S
AS
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