Effect of two contemporary tone inhibiting ankle foot orthoses on foot-loading patterns in adult hemiplegics: A small group study

This research was supported by the Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association

Abstract

This study compared the effect of the dynamic ankle foot orthos is (DAFO) and the Utley foot orthosis (UFO) on foot loading patterns in five hemiplegic subjects. An A-B-B-A single subject design was used. Foot loading data were collected in three sessions, which were separated by a two-week wearing time for each orthosis. The DAFO produced significantly greater force and force-time integrals through the lateral forefoot, with a progression of weightbearing through the central forefoot at toe-off. This study failed to demonstrate significant foot loading pattern changes relevant to use of the UFO, but trends in the data suggest that this orthosis generates greater force, area, and force-time integrals through the medial heel.

Key Words:

• foot loading patterns
• gait
• hemiplegia
• lower extremity
• orthotics

Notes

This research was supported by the Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association