J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2000 Dec;24(6):1046-1054.

Comparison of Gait Analysis and Energy Consumption between Various Types of Plastic Ankle Foot Orthoses in Hemiplegic Patients

• Chon JS
• Chun SL
• Kim DA
• Yoon TJ
• Seo CH
• Seok H
• Ohn SH
• Chang YC

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study were to investigate the temporospatial, kinematic data and energy consumption in hemiplegic patients according to the types of ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), and to determine the most effective type of AFO for gait training. METHOD: A prospective study was performed for 10 patients with hemiplegia who was able to walk independently at indoor level. The temporospatial, kinematic data and energy consumption were compared in each five different conditions: 1) barefoot, 2) donning AFO with posterior leaf spring (PLS), 3) donning PLS with the distal part of metatarsal head trimmed off (PLS-C), 4) donning hinged PLS (HPLS), 5) donning hinged PLS with the distal part of metatarsal head trimmed off (HPLS-C).
RESULTS
With four types of PLS, maximal ankle plantar flexion was significantly decreased, however we didn't find any difference in kinematic data of the pelvis and hip as compared with barefoot and with PLS, HPLS, HPLS-C and maximal knee extension angle was significantly decreased compared with barefoot. With HPLS-C, cadence and walking speed significantly increased and double support time and oxygen cost significantly decreased as compared with barefoot.
CONCLUSION
This study showed increased walking speed, decreased energy cost and improvedgait pattern after donning HPLS-C especially in hemiplegic patients. So HPLS-C may be effective in hemiplegic patients for gait training.

Keyword

Hemiplegic gait; Gait analysis; Energy consumption; Ankle foot orthosis

MeSH Terms

Ankle*
Foot Orthoses*
Foot*
Gait Disorders, Neurologic
Gait*
Head
Hemiplegia
Hip
Humans
Knee
Metatarsal Bones
Orthotic Devices
Oxygen
Pelvis
Plastics*
Prospective Studies
Walking
Oxygen
Plastics