Effects Of Ankle-foot Orthosis On Plantar Pressure And Walking Ability In Hemiplegic Stroke Survivors

Objective To explore the effects of ankle-foot orthosis(AFO)on peak plantar pressure during the single-support phase and walking function in hemiplegic stroke patients.Methods Thirty-eight hemiplegic stroke patients who could walk at least 10 metres without assistance were recruited.Gait and balance function training and assessment system(model:AL-600)were used to quantify the walking velocity,swing phase time,peak plantar pressure during the hemiplegic single-support phase and gait asymmetry index before and after AFO in individuals with hemiplegia.Pearson correlation coefficients were computed to assess the relationship between the peak plantar pressure and walking velocity before and after AFO.The correlation between peak plantar pressure and the gait asymmetry index of the hemiplegic gait was analyzed before and after AFO as well.Results The walking velocity,and the peak plantar pressure during the single-support phase of hemiplegic side were significantly increased in hemiplegic stroke survivors with AFO(P<0.05).The gait asymmetry index were significantly lower in hemiplegia after AFO(P<0.05).The peak plantar pressure during the single-support phase was positively correlated with velocity and negatively correlated with hemiplegic gait asymmetry index after AFO.Conclusions 1.When Stroke patients walk with AFO,their maximum walking speed is increased,the time of hemiplegic single-support phase is prolonged,and the walking stability and walking ability are improved.2.When stroke patients walk with AFO,the relevant parameters of plantar pressure change,the peak value of plantar pressure increases in the single support phase of hemiplegic side,and the asymmetric ratio of plantar pressure of both lower limbs decreases,which is conducive to the transfer of body weight between lower limbs and the improvement of gait.3.When stroke patients walk with AFO,the peak plantar pressure in the single support phase of hemiplegia is correlated with the walking speed and the asymmetry of hemiplegic gait.