[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of an ankle-foot orthosis on gait variables (velocity and cadence) of stroke patients. To do this, a systematic review was conducted of four databases. [Subjects and Methods] The papers identified were evaluated based on the following inclusion criteria: 1) design: controlled, clinical trial; 2) population: stroke patients; 3) int...

The ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) with oil damper, GaitSolution (GS), was previously developed to make heel rocker function possible during the gait of hemiplegic patients. To clarify the characteristics of patients who show adaptation to GS use, a questionnaire was completed by the clinicians responsible for 99 patients with hemiplegia who participated in this study. Clinicians completed items con...

Abnormal motion of the ankle-foot complex presents a major problem in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. These patients often develop drop foot, a problem involving excessive and uncontrolled plantar flexion. An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is prescribed to constrain and inhibit this abnormal motion. The purpose of this investigation was to simulate the drop foot problem to determine the stres...

Several pathologies of the foot can be solved simply by adding an orthosis under the patient’s foot. Defining the geometry and the size of such orthosis is key in optimizing its influence on the foot. For example, an orthosis with a heel lift (HL) has an increased height below the heel to force the patient to put his weight on front of the foot. An orthosis with a metatarsal bar associated with...

[Purpose] This study examined the effects of an ankle-foot orthosis worn during balance training on lower limb muscle activity and static balance of chronic stroke patients. [Subjects] The subjects were twenty-five inpatients receiving physical therapy for chronic stroke. [Methods] The chronic stroke patients were divided into two groups: thirteen patients were assigned to the ankle-foot orthos...

Current active leg prostheses do not integrate the most recent advances in Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) and bipedal robotics. Moreover, their actuators are seldom driven by the subject’s intention. This paper aims at showing a summary of our current results in the field of human gait rehabilitation. In a first prototype, the main focus was on people suffering from foot drop problems, i.e. pe...

The authors have developed a knee-ankle-foot orthosis with a joint unit that controls knee movements using a microcomputer (Intelligent Orthosis). The Intelligent Orthosis was applied to normal subjects and patients, and gait analysis was performed. In the gait cycle, the ratio of the stance phase to the swing phase was less in gait with the knee locked using a knee-ankle-foot orthosis than in ...

Foot and ankle-foot orthoses are prescribed in order to promote mobility through supporting and/or realigning the lower leg and alleviating pain in the foot in different parts of the gait cycle. This paper will outline new approaches to the design and manufacture of personalised foot and ankle-foot orthoses (FO and AFO) using additive fabrication technology. The research is addressing the need ...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of night positioning on ankle motion in patients after stroke or brain injury. DESIGN Prospective randomized controlled pilot study with 3 groups: bivalve cast; pressure-relieving ankle-foot orthosis; and control. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS Adults (n = 46) in inpatient rehabilitation with lower extremity paresis following stroke or brain injury. METHODS Interven...