Effects of an Anterior Ankle-Foot Orthosis on Walking Mobility in Stroke Patients: Get Up and Go and Stair Walking

ObjectiveTo examine the effects of an anterior ankle-foot orthosis (AAFO) on walking mobility in stroke patients.DesignCross-sectional and repeated-measures study design.SettingA university's neurologic rehabilitation department.ParticipantsAmbulant stroke patients (N=21).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresWalking mobility was measured by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the Timed Up and Down Stairs (TUDS) test. The paired t test was used to determine the difference between the mobility performances measured with and without the AAFO.ResultsThere were significant differences between mobility performances with and without an AAFO in the TUG test (P=.038) and the TUDS test (P=.000).ConclusionsThis study supports the effect of an AAFO on walking mobility in stroke patients. The findings demonstrate that stroke patients wearing an AAFO may ambulate with greater speed and safety on level surfaces and stairs.