Gait assessment during the initial fitting of an ankle foot orthosis in individuals with stroke.

Purpose: To evaluate if the measurement of gait parameters, examined during the fitting of an Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO), has a beneficial effect on the gait pattern of individuals who were affected by a stroke. Also, this study seeks to provide evidence regarding the use of the portable GaitRite system in a clinical setting.

Method: Before-after trial conducted at a stroke outpatient orthotic clinic of a freestanding rehabilitation hospital. Thirteen individuals with acute and 27 individuals with chronic stroke participated in the assessment of gait velocity, cadence, step length and stance phase.

Results: AFO use significantly improves gait velocity, cadence, step, and stride length in individuals with hemiparesis due to stroke.

Conclusion: The results of the current study indicate that the assessment of temporo-spatial characteristics of gait can be incorporated into a clinical routine. This will be useful for patient education, justification of medical necessity of paying, monitoring progress, and in the decision-making process of weaning patients off orthoses.