Effects on abnormal gait pattern in hemiparetic patients using ankle foot orthoses / 中华神经科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effect of ankle foot orthoses (AFO) on improving the abnormal gait pattern in hemiparetic patients Methods 106 hemiparetic patients were randomly divided into two groups. AFO was used in one group (52 cases) and not in the control group (54 cases). Both of them accepted conventional physical therapy. Motor function of affected ankle joint and lower extremities, spastic state of ankle joint, standing balance and walking ability were evaluated on each case before and after rehabilitation Results At the end of the trial, spastic state of ankle joint in both groups were decreased. 40 cases reached to degree of ⅠorⅠ + of spastic state and 12 cases to Ⅱ, Ⅲ or Ⅳ in the AFO used group,while the number of cases in the control group were respectively 27 and 27. The effects in AFO used group showed more significant than in the control group ( P 0.05) Conclusion Physical therapy combined with ankle foot orthoses was beneficial to improving the abnormal gait pattern and decreasing the spastic state of ankle joint in hemiparetic patients. However, it might not affect the motor function of ankle joint and lower extremities.