The effect of gait training with an elastic ankle-foot orthosis on balance and walking ability of persons with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Physical therapy rehabilitation science Vol. 9; no. 4; pp. 222 - 229
• Main Authors: Chi, Ming Hao, Yim, Jong Eun, Yi, Dong hyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 물리치료재활과학회 31.12.2020; Korean Academy of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• Subjects: Stroke; Walking speed; Orthosis; Posture
• ISSN: 2287-7576; 2287-7584

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of treadmill exercise on the posture and walking speed of chronic stroke survivors with an ankle-foot orthosis. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-four chronic persons with chronic stroke admitted to Bobath Memorial Hospital in Seongnam city were divided into two groups by random blind method. Treadmill exercise with an elastic ankle-foot orthosis was performed in the experimental group and treadmill exercise was performed in the control group. The experiment was carried out for 6 weeks, and the experiment was carried out three times a week for 20 minutes per session. To measure the effect, static balance was measured using the MTD system before and after training, and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to measure functional balance. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in the BBS measurement results for confirming the functional balance (p<0.05). Also, there was a significant difference between the 2 groups in single limb support time, step time and step length (p<0.05). Conclusions: In this study, it was found that treadmill exercise with an elastic ankle-foot orthosis in persons with chronic stroke was effective in maintaining functional balance, walking ability, step length, and step time. Therefore, it is necessary to use a flexible ankle-foot orthosis with proper treadmill exercise as a method of improving balance and walking speed of chronic stroke survivors.