Effect of different designs of ankle-foot orthoses on gait in patients with stroke: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are used to improve the gait of patients with stroke.

Research question: The current review aimed at evaluating the efficacy of different designs of AFOs and comparison between them on the gait parameters of individuals with hemiplegic stroke.

Methods: The search strategy was based on the population intervention comparison outcome (PICO) method. A search was performed in PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases.

Results: A total of 27 articles were found for the final evaluation. All types of AFOs had positive effects on ankle kinematic in the first rocker and swing phases, but not on knee kinematics in the swing phase, hip kinematics or the third rocker function. All trials, except two, assessed immediate or short-term effects only. The articulated passive AFO compared with the non-articulated passive AFO had better effects on some aspects of the gait of patients with hemiplegia following stroke, more investigations are needed in this regard though.

Significance: An ankle-foot orthosis can immediately improve the dropped foot in the stance and swing phases. The effects of long-term usage and comparison among the different types of AFOs need to be evaluated.

Keywords: AFO; Ankle foot orthosis; Gait; Hemiplegia; Orthosis; Stroke; Walking.