title: The effect of an AFO-shaped elastic band on drop-foot gait in patients with central neurological lesions.
abstract: We investigated the effectiveness of an AFO-shaped band as an assistive walking device in patients with neurological lesions. The participants included 11 patients with a recent history of a CVA and one multiple sclerosis patient. In each patient, the order of conditions (AFO, AFO-shaped band, barefoot) was randomized. Participants were required to walk on the GAITRite mat twice during each condition. The average gait velocity among patients using the AFO-shaped elastic band was significantly higher than those under barefoot conditions (p = 0.015). Participants using the AFO-shaped elastic band also showed a significantly higher average number of steps per minute (cadence) as compared with the barefoot and AFO conditions (p = 0.007). Significant differences in stride length on the unaffected side were found between the AFO-shaped band and barefoot conditions (p = 0.029). Our results indicated that the AFO-shaped elastic band could be useful for patients with central neurological lesions with respect to gait, especially walking velocity, cadence, and stride length on the affected side. Thus, the AFO-shaped elastic band could be a practical tool for clinicians to train patients with central neurological lesions to walk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Inje University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young-In
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Won-Gyu
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Duk-Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Hyo-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Heo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome