title: Use of an ankle-foot orthosis improves aerobic capacity in subacute hemiparetic stroke patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate aerobic capacity with and without an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) in subacute hemiparetic stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective crossover intervention study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rehabilitation clinic in secondary care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients diagnosed with first-ever cerebral stroke involving the cortical or subcortical area resulting in hemiparesis (n = 15, 8 men and 7 women; average age, 62.1 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  All subjects participated in 2 continuous, symptom-limited, low-velocity graded treadmill exercise stress tests under 2 different conditions, namely, with and without an AFO. The rest interval between tests was at least 48 hours. The order of exercise stress tests was randomized.
  
  
  METHODS
  To assess cardiorespiratory responses, oxygen consumption, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, rate-pressure product, and respiratory exchange ratio were measured continuously throughout the test, and peak values were obtained. The rating of perceived exertion was recorded immediately after each test. The percentage of the age-predicted maximal heart rate and total exercise duration were also measured. Gait function was assessed by the Six-Minute Walk Test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using an AFO significantly increased peak oxygen consumption and Six-Minute Walk Test results. Peak values of each of heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, rate-pressure product, and respiratory exchange ratio, rating of perceived exertion, percentage of age-predicted maximal heart rate, and total exercise duration were similar regardless of AFO use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of an AFO may improve aerobic capacity in subacute hemiparetic stroke patients, and may improve energy efficiency and gait endurance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Republic of Korea(∗).
authors.forename: Chul Woong
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hyun
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jeju National University Hospital, Aran 13 gil 15, Jeju-si, Jeju, 690-767, Republic of Korea(†). Electronic address: brkim08@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Bo Ryun
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Republic of Korea(‡).
authors.forename: Eun Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Republic of Korea(§).
authors.forename: Sun Mi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D061826:Foot Orthoses; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010291:Paresis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020521:Stroke / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology