Influence of Stroke Patients’ Sitting Balance Ability on the Time Needed for Them to Wear Ankle Foot Orthosis

Abstract

[Purpose] This study focused on ankle foot orthosis (AFO) for stroke patients, and examined whether these patients’ physical functions, such as the severity of motor paralysis and sitting balance ability, influence the time needed for them to wear AFO. [Participants and Methods] Nineteen stroke patients during the maintenance period were instructed to wear 3 types of AFO: Shoe Horn Brace, Tamarac Articulated AFO (articulated AFO), and Gait Solution Design, to compare the time needed, and analyze the relationships between this and the severity of motor paralysis, range of motion, muscle tone, and sitting balance ability. [Results] The time was significantly shorter when wearing the articulated AFO. On the other hand, there was a significant correlation between the time and sitting balance ability, regardless of the type of orthosis. [Conclusion] The results suggest that stroke patients’ sitting balance ability may influence the times needed for them to wear these 3 types of AFO.