Effects of AFO use on walking in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Although bracing in the late ambulatory stage of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has been described, the effects of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) in earlier stages have not been evaluated. The aim of this pilot study was to describe the effects of dynamic response AFO (DR-AFO) use in boys with DMD who are ambulatory.


METHODS
Using a crossover design, 3 boys were randomly assigned to either a 2-week DR-AFO or a placebo intervention. Phases were separated by a 1-week washout period. Primary outcomes were time to walk 10 m and a 6-Minute Walk Test.


RESULTS
With DR-AFO use, declines in 10-m walk time (median decline = 0.8 s) and 6-Minute Walk Distance (median = 25.0 m) occurred. Parental report suggested that the use of DR-AFOs increased falls in 2 of 3 participants.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study does not support the use of DR-AFOs by boys with DMD who are ambulatory.
Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitations Sciences (Drs Townsend and Gross), MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts; Massachusetts General Hospital (Dr Townsend), Boston, Massachusetts; Boston University School of Medicine (Dr Gross), Boston, Massachusetts; Health East Medical Center (Dr Tamhane), Englewood, New Jersey.
Elise L
EL
Townsend
Himani
H
Tamhane
K Douglas
KD
Gross
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000293:Adolescent; D000842:Ankle; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005528:Foot; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020388:Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016138:Walking