The combinational effect of ankle-foot orthosis and electrical stimulation of plantar flexors for a chronic stroke patient: Study using a single case design

Abstract

We evaluated the combined effects of gait training with an ankle foot orthosis and functional electrical stimulation of the gastrocnemius muscle for a chronic stroke patient. This study adopted a single-case design (ABA’B’) : gait training with the ankle foot orthosis during the A and A’ phase, and gait training with the ankle foot orthosis and functional electrical stimulation during the B and B’ phase. In our results, maximum gait speed and step length increased during the B and B’phase. Cadence didn’t change in any phase. Combined ankle foot orthosis and functional electrical stimulation of the gastrocnemius muscle produced effective gait ability for this patient.