Effectiveness of elastic band-type ankle–foot orthoses on postural control in poststroke elderly patients as determined using combined measurement of the stability index and body weight-bearing ratio

Figures & data

Table 1 Descriptive characteristics of study group

Participants	Sex/age (years)	Time since stroke (months)	Daily use of AFOs	Paretic side	Positive history of falls (yes/no)	Type of stroke
1	M/52	80	No	Right	N	Ischemic
2	M/74	130	No	Right	Y	Ischemic
3	F/62	78	No	Right	Y	Hemorrhagic
4	M/58	92	Partially	Right	N	Ischemic
5	M/56	19	No	Right	Y	Ischemic
6	M/56	129	No	Left	Y	Ischemic
7	M/52	125	No	Left	Y	Ischemic
8	M/54	68	Partially	Left	N	Hemorrhagic
9	M/41	43	Constantly	Left	N	Hemorrhagic
10	M/52	91	Constantly	Left	N	Hemorrhagic

Abbreviations: AFO, ankle–foot orthosis; M, male; Y, yes; N, no; F, female.

Figure 1 Experimental set-up: (A) the Biodex Balance System and (B) a plantar foot pressure system.

Abbreviations: AFOs, ankle–foot orthoses; N-AFOs, no AFOs (bare foot); P-AFOs, hard plastic-type AFOs; E-AFOs, elastic band-type AFOs by fabric material; SD, Static and Dynamic.

Figure 2 Data analysis for the Biodex Balance System.

Note: Data from Biodex Medical Systems, Inc.³³

Table 2 Result of postural stability index

PSI score	N-AFOs, mean (± SD)	P-AFOs, mean (± SD)	E-AFOs, mean (± SD)
OSI	3.51 (±0.83)	2.36 (±0.91)	2.24 (±1.22)
APSI	2.14 (±0.74)	1.36 (±0.45)	1.42 (±0.73)
MLSI	2.26 (±0.72)	1.63 (±0.89)	1.43 (±1.00)

Notes: Reference range for the OSI by age (forecasting age: PSI score): (17–35 years: 0.82–2.26), (36–53 years: 1.23–3.03), (54–71 years: 1.79–3.35), and (72–89 years: 1.90–3.50).

Abbreviations: PSI, postural stability index; AFO, ankle–foot orthoses; N-AFOs, no AFOs (bare foot); P-AFOs, hard plastic-type AFOs; E-AFOs, elastic band-type AFOs by fabric material; SD, standard deviation; OSI, overall stability index; APSI, anterior/posterior stability index; MLSI, medial/lateral stability index.

Figure 3 Result of postural stability index.

Notes: *P<0.05, PSI’s formula.
Abbreviations: PSI, postural stability index; OSI, overall stability index; APSI, anterior/posterior stability index; MLSI, medial/lateral stability index; AFOs, ankle–foot orthoses; N-AFOs, no AFOs (bare foot); P-AFOs, hard plastic-type AFOs; E-AFOs, elastic band-type AFOs by fabric material.

Figure 4 Result of time in quadrant (unit: %).

Note: % (time in quadrant) = time stayed in quadrant/total run time ×100. The font in red is the anterior quadrant for the paretic limb.
Abbreviations: AFOs, ankle–foot orthoses; N-AFOs, no AFOs (bare foot); P-AFOs, hard plastic-type AFOs; E-AFOs, elastic band-type AFOs by fabric material.

Figure 5 Result of time in zone (unit: %).

Notes: % (time in zone) = time within zone/total run time ×100, Zone A: tilt degree <5°, Zone B: tilt degree <10°, Zone C: tilt degree <15°, and Zone D: tilt degree <20°.
Abbreviations: AFOs, ankle–foot orthoses; N-AFOs, no AFOs (bare foot); P-AFOs, hard plastic-type AFOs; E-AFOs, elastic band-type AFOs by fabric material.

Figure 6 Result of force and weight bearing by AFOs type.

Note: *P<0.05.
Abbreviations: AFOs, ankle–foot orthoses; N-AFOs, no AFOs (bare foot); P-AFOs, hard plastic-type AFOs; E-AFOs, elastic band-type AFOs by fabric material.

Figure 7 Result of COP’s distance by AFOs.

Note: *P<0.05.
Abbreviations: COP, center of pressure; AFOs, ankle–foot orthoses; N-AFOs, no AFOs (bare foot); P-AFOs, hard plastic-type AFOs; E-AFOs, elastic band-type AFOs by fabric material.

Biodex Medical Systems, IncBalance System SD Operation/Service ManualShirley, NYBiodex Medical Systems, Inc2011

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