踝足矫形器对偏瘫患者步行速度的影响

目的：了解踝足矫形器（ａｎｋｌｅ－ｆｏｏｔ ｏｒｔｈｏｓｉｓ,ＡＦＯ）对偏瘫患者步行速度的影响。方法：３０例偏瘫患者在步态分析实验分别穿鞋和赤足行走两次,用摄像机录下患者的步行过程,用运动动态分析软件进行数据分析。结果：不穿ＡＦＯ者穿鞋和赤足的步行速度无显著性差异（Ｐ〉０．０５）;不穿ＡＦＯ者穿鞋与穿ＡＦＯ者穿鞋加ＡＦＯ时步行速度无显著性差异（Ｐ〉０．０５）;不穿ＡＦＯ者与穿ＡＦＯ者赤足时步行速度     

Stepping with an ankle foot orthosis re-examined: A mechanical perspective for clinical decision making

Background

Ankle foot orthoses are used to stabilize the ankle joint and aid toe clearance during stepping in persons after incomplete spinal cord injury. However, little is known about kinematics and kinetics of stepping with an orthosis during the transition from stance-to-swing and swing-to-stance. We intended to examine if an ankle foot orthosis impeded or facilitated optimal ankle, knee and hip joint kinematics, kinetics and spatiotemporal parameters during the transition phases of normal walking.

Methods

Fourteen healthy participants walked on a split-belt instrumented treadmill with and without a posterior leaf spring ankle foot orthosis at 1.2 m/s. Three dimensional motion data and ground reaction forces were captured during 30 second trials of steady state walking.

Findings

During stance-to-swing, the orthosis significantly decreased hip extension [8.6 (5.5) to 6.7 (5.5) degrees, P = 0.001], ankle plantarflexion [19.4 (5.7) to 12.0 (5.2) degrees, P < 0.001] and plantarflexor power [0.18 (0.03) to 0.15 (0.03) watts/body weight, P < 0.001]. During swing-to-stance, the orthosis significantly increased hip flexion [32.7 (4.7) to 35.6 (5.1) degrees, P = 0.028] and ankle plantarflexion [8.4 (3.5) to 10.9 (4.7) degrees, P < 0.001] and decreased loading rate [0.06 (0.01) to 0.05 (0.01) N/kg, P = 0.018] and braking force [0.16 (0.02) to 0.15 (0.02) N/kg, P = 0.013]. Double limb support time increased significantly with the orthosis [0.19 (0.02) to 0.22 (0.03) seconds, P < 0.000].

Interpretation

An ankle foot orthosis affected joint kinematics and kinetics during the transition from stance-to-swing and vice-versa. The use of orthosis to improve transition phase kinematics and kinetics in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury warrants assessment.     

The effects of foam rolling on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in healthy adults: A systematic literature review

BackgroundReduced ankle dorsiflexion is associated with lower limb injury and dysfunction, with static stretching mostly used to increase ankle range of motion. Foam rolling is an alternative intervention, shown to immediately increase ankle range of motion, while the long-term application has conflicting evidence.AimsTo assess the effects of single and multiple foam rolling interventions on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in healthy adults and appraise the methodological quality of the included studies.DesignSystematic literature review.MethodsFive electronic databases were systematically searched to identify randomised controlled trials reporting the effects of foam rolling on ankle dorsiflexion. Data was extracted from studies that met the inclusion criteria and independently appraised by each reviewer using the PEDro scale.ResultsThirty-two articles were identified; six studies included foam rolling compared to other interventions on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. Five of the six studies reported a significant increase (p < 0.05) in ankle dorsiflexion within groups compared to baseline measurements, after a single foam rolling intervention. One study found a significant within group increase in long-term effects after foam rolling on ankle dorsiflexion over seven weeks. The mean PEDro score for all studies was 6/10 indicating a high-quality level of evidence.ConclusionThere is strong evidence suggesting that foam rolling may be effective in increasing range of motion in a healthy adult population in the short term up to 30 min; however, definitive conclusions on long-term effects cannot be drawn due to a lack of evidence, with further research recommended.     

Immediate effect of different ankle-foot orthosis functions with the same dorsiflexed setting of initial ankle joint angle on walking ability in individuals with chronic stroke: a randomized crossover trial

[Purpose] To investigate how different ankle-foot orthosis functions with the same dorsiflexed setting of initial ankle joint angle affect the walking ability in individuals with chronic stroke. [Participants and Methods] In this randomized crossover study, participants underwent a 10-m walking test and walked on a WalkWay MW-1000 three times under these conditions: (1) without ankle-foot orthosis; (2) with ankle-foot orthosis with an adjustable posterior strut at 5° of fixed dorsiflexion; and (3) with ankle-foot orthosis with an adjustable posterior strut at 5–20° of restricted dorsiflexion. The primary outcome was walking speed on the 10-m walking test. The secondary outcomes were walking speed and spatiotemporal factors measured by the WalkWay MW-1000. [Results] Fifteen individuals (mean [standard deviation] age, 60.9 [8.6] years; male, 12) were enrolled. Walking speeds of the ankle-foot orthosis with fixed and restricted dorsiflexion groups were significantly higher than those without the orthosis; however, no outcomes differed significantly between ankle-foot orthosis with fixed versus restricted dorsiflexion groups. [Conclusion] In individuals with chronic stroke, ankle-foot orthosis function may be less important than the dorsiflexed setting of initial ankle joint angle in the ankle-foot orthosis.     

Robotic gait trainer in water: Development of an underwater gait-training orthosis

Purpose.?To develop a robotic gait trainer that can be used in water (RGTW) and achieve repetitive physiological gait patterns to improve the movement dysfunctions.

Method.?The RGTW is a hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis with pneumatic actuators; the control software was developed on the basis of the angular motions of the hip and knee joint of a healthy subject as he walked in water. Three-dimensional motions and electromyographic (EMG) activities were recorded in nine healthy subjects to evaluate the efficacy of using the RGTW while walking on a treadmill in water.

Results.?The device could preserve the angular displacement patterns of the hip and knee and foot trajectories under all experimental conditions. The tibialis anterior EMG activities in the late swing phase and the biceps femoris throughout the stance phase were reduced whose joint torques were assisted by the RGTW while walking on a treadmill in water.

Conclusion.?Using the RGTW could expect not only the effect of the hydrotherapy but also the standard treadmill gait training, in particular, and may be particularly effective for treating individuals with hip joint movement dysfunction.     

Robotic gait trainer in water: development of an underwater gait-training orthosis

Purpose. To develop a robotic gait trainer that can be used in water (RGTW) and achieve repetitive physiological gait patterns to improve the movement dysfunctions.

Method. The RGTW is a hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis with pneumatic actuators; the control software was developed on the basis of the angular motions of the hip and knee joint of a healthy subject as he walked in water. Three-dimensional motions and electromyographic (EMG) activities were recorded in nine healthy subjects to evaluate the efficacy of using the RGTW while walking on a treadmill in water.

Results. The device could preserve the angular displacement patterns of the hip and knee and foot trajectories under all experimental conditions. The tibialis anterior EMG activities in the late swing phase and the biceps femoris throughout the stance phase were reduced whose joint torques were assisted by the RGTW while walking on a treadmill in water.

Conclusion. Using the RGTW could expect not only the effect of the hydrotherapy but also the standard treadmill gait training, in particular, and may be particularly effective for treating individuals with hip joint movement dysfunction.     

肩部矫形器在脑卒中后异常步态康复中的研究进展

脑卒中后偏瘫通常对人体运动能力和稳定性产生不利影响,患者常因肌无力、双侧肢体肌张力失衡、感觉异常、关节和姿势控制不良等出现肩关节半脱位、异常步态。肩部矫形器常用于脑卒中偏瘫的早期预防或治疗肩关节半脱位,但目前仍存在争议。为探索肩部矫形器除预防和治疗肩关节半脱位外的作用,为肩部矫形器的选择及佩戴提供理论依据,该文阐述了肩部矫形器可能改善脑卒中后异常步态的机制,分类对比不同类型肩部矫形器对脑卒中后异常步态的矫正效果。     

The effect of hinged ankle-foot orthosis on gait and energy expenditure in spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Purpose.?To assess the effectiveness of a hinged ankle-foot orthoses on gait impairments and energy expenditure in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) whom orthoses were indicated to control equines.

Method.?Eleven children (seven males, four females) who had a diagnosis of hemiplegic cerebral palsy were included in the study. Each child underwent gait analysis and energy consumption studies with and without ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). The AFOs were all custom-made for the individual child and had plantarflexion stop at 0° with no dorsoflexion stop. The Vicon 512 Motion analysis system was used for gait analysis. Walking energy expenditure measurements were done with breath by breath method using an open-circuit indirect calorimeter (Vmax 29c, Sensormedics, USA). All tests were carried out on the same day with enough resting period.

Results.?AFO application, as compared with the barefoot condition improved walking speed, stride length and single support time. Double support time was decreased significantly with AFOs and no change in cadance. Ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact, midstance and midswing showed significiant increase. Knee flexion at initial contact was decreased and no significant change in maximum knee extension at stance and maximum knee flexion at swing was obtained. The oxygen consumption was significantly reduced during AFO walking.

Conclusion.?The hinged AFO is useful in controlling dynamic equinus deformity and reducing the energy expenditure of gait in children with hemiplegic spastic cerebral palsy.     

The effect of hinged ankle-foot orthosis on gait and energy expenditure in spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Purpose. To assess the effectiveness of a hinged ankle-foot orthoses on gait impairments and energy expenditure in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) whom orthoses were indicated to control equines.

Method. Eleven children (seven males, four females) who had a diagnosis of hemiplegic cerebral palsy were included in the study. Each child underwent gait analysis and energy consumption studies with and without ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). The AFOs were all custom-made for the individual child and had plantarflexion stop at 0° with no dorsoflexion stop. The Vicon 512 Motion analysis system was used for gait analysis. Walking energy expenditure measurements were done with breath by breath method using an open-circuit indirect calorimeter (Vmax 29c, Sensormedics, USA). All tests were carried out on the same day with enough resting period.

Results. AFO application, as compared with the barefoot condition improved walking speed, stride length and single support time. Double support time was decreased significantly with AFOs and no change in cadance. Ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact, midstance and midswing showed significiant increase. Knee flexion at initial contact was decreased and no significant change in maximum knee extension at stance and maximum knee flexion at swing was obtained. The oxygen consumption was significantly reduced during AFO walking.

Conclusion. The hinged AFO is useful in controlling dynamic equinus deformity and reducing the energy expenditure of gait in children with hemiplegic spastic cerebral palsy.     

The contribution of quasi-joint stiffness of the ankle joint to gait in patients with hemiparesis

Background

The role of ankle joint stiffness during gait in patients with hemiparesis has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of quasi-joint stiffness of the ankle joint to spatiotemporal and kinetic parameters regarding gait in patients with hemiparesis due to brain tumor or stroke and healthy individuals.

Methods

Spatiotemporal and kinetic parameters regarding gait in twelve patients with hemiparesis due to brain tumor or stroke and nine healthy individuals were measured with a 3-dimensional motion analysis system. Quasi-joint stiffness was calculated from the slope of the linear regression of the moment–angle curve of the ankle joint during the second rocker.

Findings

There was no significant difference in quasi-joint stiffness among both sides of patients and the right side of controls. Quasi-joint stiffness on the paretic side of patients with hemiparesis positively correlated with maximal ankle power (r = 0.73, P < 0.01) and gait speed (r = 0.66, P < 0.05). In contrast, quasi-joint stiffness in controls negatively correlated with maximal ankle power (r = − 0.73, P < 0.05) and gait speed (r = − 0.76, P < 0.05).

Interpretation

Our findings suggested that ankle power during gait might be generated by increasing quasi-joint stiffness in patients with hemiparesis. In contrast, healthy individuals might decrease quasi-joint stiffness to avoid deceleration of forward tilt of the tibia. Our findings might be useful for selecting treatment for increased ankle stiffness due to contracture and spasticity in patients with hemiparesis.     

C6—T6脊髓损伤患者应用往复式步行矫形器的疗效分析

目的：观察往复式步行矫形器对T6以上脊髓损伤患者心肺功能和ADL能力及步行能力的影响。方法：将40例C6—T6以上脊髓损伤患者分为观察组18例（装配往复式步行矫形器者）和对照组22例（未装配者）。对照组进行系统综合康复治疗（包括有氧训练、肌力训练、站立训练、平衡、转移训练、被动关节活动度训练、心肺功能训练、ADL训练、膀胱功能等其他综合康复训练），观察组进行系统综合康复治疗外还进行装配步行矫形器前训练、矫形器装配后训练及步态步行训练。结果：经过12周的训练后两组患者的心肺功能和日常生活活动能力明显改善，观察组明显优于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组18例患者装配矫形器及训练后患者10m步行时间平均87.27±39.57s， 6min步行距离为46.35±26.24m ，在装配往复式步行矫形器后7例可达到室内治疗性步行，11例可达到实用性步行，对照组无一例能步行。结论：往复式步行矫形器对改善T6以上脊髓损伤患者心肺功能、ADL能力及步行能力有重要意义。     

使用助行器械和矫形器步行训练的最新进展

本文介绍了助行器和矫形器在步行训练上最新进展,包括实现功能性电刺激的下肢矫形器、实现截瘫步行的下肢矫形器、重度偏瘫步行重建的下肢矫形器、治疗下肢痉挛的下肢矫形器,可以爬楼梯的轮椅等,供大家在临床康复工作中借鉴和应用.     

Preservation of the first rocker is related to increases in gait speed in individuals with hemiplegia and AFO

Background

Changes in impulse during the first rocker (braking force) and third rocker (propulsion force) may affect changes in gait speed after orthotic intervention. The purpose of this investigation was to objectively measure changes in impulse during double support and correlate those findings to changes in gait speed with and without ankle foot orthosis in individuals with hemiplegia.

Methods

Fifteen adults with stroke-related hemiplegia walked with and without ankle foot orthosis while foot pressure data was collected bilaterally. Outcome measures included: gait cycle time (s), mean force (N), and impulse (Ns) in the wholefoot, hindfoot, forefoot, and toe box during initial double support and terminal double support.

Findings

Time significantly decreased during the entire gait cycle, initial double support, and terminal double support, with the ankle foot orthosis. During initial double support, affected limb impulse significantly decreased with the ankle foot orthosis in the wholefoot (P = 0.016), and hindfoot (P = 0.006), and hindfoot impulse % change and gait speed % change were significantly correlated (P = 0.007). During terminal double support, affected limb impulse was not significantly different in the wholefoot or forefoot and these changes were not significantly correlated to gait speed.

Interpretation

Previous research found that orthotics increase gait speed in individuals with hemiplegia. This research suggests that the increase in speed is not due to increased propulsive forces at the end of terminal double support, but due to decreased braking forces during initial double support. Therefore, the orthosis preserved the first ankle rocker and provided a more efficient weight acceptance which positively affected gait speed.     

矫形器结合功能训练改善患者步行能力

目的探讨矫形器结合功能训练对患者步行能力的影响。方法对 3 6例步行困难患者 (腰膨大脊髓损伤 11例、脑血管意外及脑外伤 2 5例 )于不同康复训练阶段配合踝足矫形器 (AFO)进行强化训练 6周 ,分别在患者入院时、AFO训练前和AFO训练 6周后进行ASIA、FMA运动评分评定和限时的步行功能检查 (包括 6min步行评定和 10米步行时间评定 )。结果AFO训练 6周后 ,患者的步行功能评分与AFO训练前的差异具有非常显著性意义 (P <0 .0 1) ;脊髓损伤患者的ASIA运动评分与入院时的差异无显著性意义 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;脑损伤患者的运动评分与入院时的差异具有非常显著性意义 (P <0 .0 1) ,脑损伤患者的运动评分与AFO训练前的差异有显著性意义 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论AFO结合功能训练可显著改善腰膨大脊髓损伤及部分脑损伤患者的步行能力。     

The effects of hip and ankle stretching on gait function of older people

Christiansen CL. The effects of hip and ankle stretching on gait function of older people.

Objective

To examine effects of hip and ankle stretching on gait function of older people.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Flexibility training was performed in participants' homes. Assessments were performed in a biomechanics laboratory.

Participants

Forty healthy volunteers (mean age ± SD, 72.1±4.7y) randomized to 2 groups: intervention (n=20) and control (n=20).

Intervention

Intervention participants performed an 8-week stretching program, and control group participants maintained activity level for 8 weeks. One investigator made weekly visits to instruct and monitor participants.

Main Outcome Measures

Primary outcome measures were passive joint motion for hip extension and ankle dorsiflexion and freely chosen gait speed. Secondary outcome measures were gait parameters during freely chosen gait speed and set gait speed walking (stride length, joint displacement).

Results

Compared with the control group, the intervention group had increased combined hip and knee motion (P=.023), ankle motion (P=.020), and freely chosen gait speed (P=.016). The intervention group showed statistically nonsignificant trends of increased stride length at freely chosen gait speed and set gait speed.

Conclusions

Findings suggest joint motion is a modifiable impairment that is effectively targeted with flexibility training for older people. Participants in the intervention group had improvements in joint motion as well as increased freely chosen gait speed. Mechanisms responsible for changes in freely chosen gait speed warrant further investigation.     

Evaluation of the performance of paraplegic subjects during walking with a new design of reciprocal gait orthosis

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) influences a person's ability to stand and walk. Various orthoses have been developed to solve these standing and walking problems, however, patients still experience high energy consumption during walking and high forces on the upper limbs. A new reciprocal gait orthosis (RGO) was designed to address these problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the new orthosis design with paraplegic subjects. Method: Three paraplegic subjects with the lesion at level T12 and three able-bodied subjects were included in this study. Hip and pelvis range of motion and vertical ground reaction force were evaluated using the Qualysis motion analyzer system and a Kistler force plate. Energy consumption was measured with the Polar heart rate monitoring system. The differences between SCI individuals when walking with a Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (KAFO) and the new RGO, and the differences between able-bodied and paraplegic subjects were evaluated by the use of paired sample and two sample t test, respectively. Result: The results showed that energy consumption and gait analysis outcomes with new RGO orthosis were better than the KAFO. However, there was a large difference between paraplegic and able-bodied subjects while walking with the new orthosis. Conclusion: The new RGO design performed better than a KAFO in terms of energy consumption, walking style and vertical ground reaction force. Therefore, it appears that RGO may be a useful orthosis for patients with paraplegia.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Walking and standing of the subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) improve their physiological and physiological health.

• This study introduces a new type of orthosis design in order to improve the abilities of SCI subjects during walking and standing.

• It seems that the new design works better than available orthoses (KAFO).

     

早期AFO干预对脑卒中患者日常生活活动能力及生存质量的影响

目的探讨早期使用踝足矫形器（AFO）对脑卒中偏瘫患者13常生活活动（ADL）能力和生存质量（QOL）的功能结局影响。方法将21例早期脑卒中偏瘫患者随机分为治疗组（11例）和对照组（10例）。治疗组采用AFO与常规康复干预治疗，对照组则予以常规康复干预。每组患者入选时及治疗3个月后分别使用改良巴氏指数（MBI）评定13常生活活动能力和简化SF-36生存质量量表（中文版）评定生存质量。结果2组患者治疗前的一般情况及病情比较，差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；治疗3个月后，2组患者13常生活活动能力和生存质量间差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论早期使用AFO可以显著促进急性脑卒中偏瘫患者日常生活活动能力和生存质量改善。     

Immediate effects of ankle eversion taping on gait ability of chronic stroke patients

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to assess the immediate effects of applying ankle eversion taping using kinesiology tape in patients with foot drop after stroke.DesignRandomized cross-over trial.MethodIn this study, fifteen subjects with stroke underwent three interventions in a random order. Subjects were randomly initially assigned to an ankle balance taping, placebo taping, and no taping each group. The ankle eversion taping was used for mechanical correction. Ankle eversion taping is involved in ankle dorsiflexion and eversion. The placebo taping began from both malleolus and was applied up to the middle point of the lower limb. Gait ability was assessed by the GAITRite System. The measured gait variables are gait velocity, step length, stride length, H-H base support, and cadence. All of the measurements were performed immediately after intervention.ResultsOur results showed gait function in chronic stroke patients was improved after ankle eversion taping. Velocity, step length, stride length and cadence under the ankle eversion taping conditions significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the placebo and no taping conditions. Ankle eversion taping significantly reduced (p < 0.05) H-H base support compared to the no taping condition.ConclusionsWe conclude that the application of ankle eversion taping that uses kinesiology tape instantly increased the gait ability of chronic stroke patients with foot drop. However, more research is necessary to identify the long-term effects of the ankle eversion taping.