Effect of a Tone-Inhibiting Dynamic Ankle-Foot Orthosis on Stride Characteristics

A single-dject, alternating-treatment design was used to investigate dzferenc~~ in sn-ide characteristics of a hemiparetic sdyect under three conditions: 1) barefoot, 2) using a prefabricatedplastic molded ankle-jiwt orthosis (AFO), and 3) using a tone-inhibiting dynamic ankle-foot orthis (TIAFO). Five barefoot baseline SRFsions were conducted. Following these baseline sessions, the thee conditions were randomly varied during each of 12 alternating-treatment sessions. Data analysis revealed a signiJicant improvement in walking velocity, step length, and stance time on the hem@aretic limb and a signiJicant decrease in cadence when either the AFO or the TIAFO condition was compared with the barefoot condition. The TIAFO was associated with a signiJicant iwease in walking velocity and step length when evaluated against the prefabricated AFO. The sdyect reported that use of the TIAFO increased his ability to ambulate distances and that the TIAFO was more comfortable and less rewictive than the prefabricated AFO. The raults suggest that the TIAFO may be a promising alternative to conventional orthotic management of adults with hemiparais. [Diamond MF, Ottenbacher KJ. Efict of a tone-inhibiting djmumic anklefoot orhsis on stride characteristics of an adult with bemiparais. Phys Ther. 1990;70:423-430.]