Study on the roles of ankle foot orthosis in activities of daily living of a patient with stroke living at home: Comparison focusing on the differences in recognition between orthosis users and physical therapists

Abstract

To identify the occasions in activities of daily living (ADL) that require ankle foot orthosis and the desirable roles of the orthosis, this study sought to clarify the differences in recognition between post-stroke orthosis users and physiotherapists. From the results of a questionnaire survey, orthosis users recognized that ankle foot orthosis was required in activities accompanying motions in the sitting position, while physiotherapists recognized that the orthosis is required at a high frequency in activities accompanying ambulation. In terms of ambulation conditions, differences in recognition were found in 9 of the 25 items in the indoor independent walking group. In the indoor independent walking group and the assisted walking or wheelchair ambulation group in which differences in recognition regarding the degree of necessity of ankle foot orthosis were observed, evaluation considering the use of ankle foot orthosis in various ADL occasions including sitting activities may be necessary, in order to reflect the wishes of the parties involved and develop more meaningful orthosis for daily living.