| Summary: | 碩士 === 中山醫學大學 === 醫學檢驗暨生物技術學系碩士班 === 101 === Objective：The objective of this study was to examine the effects of the anterior ankle-foot orthosis(AAFO) on static and dynamic balance, and mobility in stroke patients.
Methods：Twenty-four stroke subjects completed the study. Subjects were measured with and without an AAFO, the sequence of which was randomized. The static and dynamic balance abilities were measured by the Sensory Organization Test (SOT), Limit of Stability (LOS) and Rhythmic Weight Shift (RWS) of the SMART Balance Master. Mobility was measured using the Timed Up and Go test and the Timed up and down stairs test. Paired t test was used to determine the difference of balance and mobility performances measured with and without the AAFO.
Results: The results showed that the stance stability and symmetry in the Sensory Organization Test did not improve when the subjects wearing an AAFO. There were significant improvements in (1) the maximal distance during LOS weight-shifting toward the affected-forward(p=.000) and the affected side(p=.002), (2) the maximal affected weight-bearing percentage after LOS toward the affected side(p=.003) and the affected-backward side(p=.000), (3) the gap to keep up with the ideal speed for the fast speed of lateral weight-shifting(p=.01), (4) stability for the slow (p=.002, p=.000)and fast (p=.001, p=.000) speed of lateral and forward-backward weight-shifting respectively, and (5) the Timed up and down stairs tests(p=.000).
Conclusion and Suggestion：This study found that the stroke subjects wearing an AAFO could improve the distance of the limit of stability toward the affected side and the weight bearing of the affected side, the keep up with the ideal speed of lateral rhythmic weight-shifting, the stability of lateral and forward-backward rhythmic weight-shifting, and go up and down stairs. Furthermore, the subjects reported that the confidence in safety was increased by using the AAFO. Therefore, we suggest that when performing the weight shifting activities and go up and down stairs, the stroke patients can wear the AAFO to improve the functional performance and safety.
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