title: Effect of Ankle-foot Orthosis on Gait Velocity and Cadence of Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review.
abstract: [Purpose] The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of an ankle-foot orthosis on gait variables (velocity and cadence) of stroke patients. To do this, a systematic review was conducted of four databases. [Subjects and Methods] The papers identified were evaluated based on the following inclusion criteria: 1) design: controlled, clinical trial; 2) population: stroke patients; 3) intervention: analysis of spatiotemporal variables of gait with an ankle-foot orthosis; 4) control group with different intervention or no intervention; and 5) outcome: improvement in gait velocity or cadence. [Results] Thirteen controlled trials addressing the effect of an ankle-foot orthosis on gait variables of stroke patients were found. They exhibited methodological quality of 3 or more points on the PEDro scale. [Conclusion] While the findings suggest the benefits of an AFO regarding gait velocity, the impact of this type of orthosis on cadence remains inconclusive. Thus, there is a need for further well-designed randomized, controlled, clinical trials to establish better scientific evidence for the effects of AFO usage on gait variables of stroke patients.
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, Guairacá College, Brazil, Student in Doctoral Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Alfredo Braun
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Doctoral Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, Brazil.
authors.forename: Hugo Pasini
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Neto
authors.affiliation: Doctoral Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luanda André College
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Grecco
authors.affiliation: Master's Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thaluanna Calil Lourenço
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Christovão
authors.affiliation: Master's Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, Brazil.
authors.forename: Natália Almeidacarvalho
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: Master's Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roberta Delasta
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Lazzari
authors.affiliation: Applied Mechanics (Biomechanics) Politecnico di Milano. Responsible of the Scientific, Technical, Administrative Activities of Posture and Movement Analysis Laboratory "Luigi Divieti", Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.affiliation: Master's and Doctoral Programs in Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudia Santos
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Oliveira
keywords: Gait; Orthosis; Stroke