固定式踝足矫形器对下肢的影响

目的：通过正常人体模拟穿戴矫形器的运动学和动力学分析，探讨固定式踝足矫形器的使用范围。方法：采用塑料制固定式踝足矫形器，通过12名正常女性穿戴矫形器和没有穿戴矫形器行走于10m的步态分析试验平台，采集受测试者身上相应的标志点和测力平台数据。结果：计算得出受测试者的穿戴矫形器和没有穿戴矫形器时相关的下肢运动角度和关节力矩等数据，并进行相应的对比分析。结论：只有充分考虑了患者各个关节的情况，才能制作出适合该患者的固定踝足矫形器。     

踝足矫形器对足下垂患者下肢功能影响的分析

目的观察和分析足下垂患者穿戴踝足支具(AFO)前后对下肢稳定性、负重能力、步行中膝、踝关节活动的影响.方法20例足下垂患者(男14例,女6例),其中右侧足下垂者9例,左侧足下垂者13例.患者中有6例需在辅助下行走,14例已具备独立行走的条件.对所有患者分别在穿戴和不穿戴踝支具状态下进行步行能力、下肢活动能力、身体平衡功能测定.其中5例患者在穿戴支具1个月左右进行步态分析.结果穿戴AFO后即刻患者的步行速度和步幅影响与穿戴支具前比较无显著差异(P＞0.05);踏车时间和上楼的速度比不戴支具有明显提高(P＜0.05),而起蹲、下楼时间、足抬高距离无显著差异(P＞0.05);穿戴AFO对患肢负重无明显改善(P＞0.05),但可使患者身体左右的稳定性及患腿前后的稳定性有明显改善(P＜0.05);步态分析结果发现,5例患者穿戴支具前后患侧下肢垂直峰力矩、步速无明显影响(P＞0.05);穿戴AFO后患侧膝关节在步行周期中最大伸膝度数较不穿支具明显减少(P＜0.05);患侧踝关节在步态周期中最大趾屈度数较不穿支具明显减少(P＜0.01).结论AFO对下肢功能的影响主要表现在改善足下垂和膝过伸程度;增强身体稳定性及患侧下肢稳定性;穿戴AFO对患者下肢日常功能活动无明显影响;对患者即刻和1个月以后的步速、步幅、患腿负重能力的改善不明显.     

脑性瘫痪患儿踝足矫形器的应用

目的踝足矫形器是小儿脑性瘫痪治疗中最常见的一种矫形器，探讨不同种类踝足矫形器的特点及有效性。方法应用计算机检索PubMed 1992—07／2004—05期间相关文章．检索词为“orlhoses，cerebral palsy”，并限定文章语言种类为English，同时计算机检索《中国临床康复》1990-01／2004-05期间相关文章，并限定语言种类为中文，检索词“矫形器，脑性瘫痪”。结果英文文献共检得19篇，除6篇为重复研究，选取13篇纳入；中文文献共检出2篇，全部纳入。结论不同设计的踝足矫形器对脑性瘫痪患儿的治疗作用各有侧重，最好据实际情况为患儿佩戴最适合的矫形器。踝足矫形器是脑性瘫痪治疗中一项重要的有效的治疗手段。     

踝足矫形器对脑瘫患儿异常步态的影响

目的:研究踝足矫形器对改善痉挛型脑瘫患儿步态的影响。方法:对30例脑瘫患儿配戴踝足矫形器前、后进行步态分析。结果:脑瘫患儿配戴踝足矫形器后,跨步长、步速明显提高,其中跨步长由0.38±0.13m增加至0.45±0.17m,步速由0.36±0.19m/s增加至0.47±0.14m/s;首次着地时踝关节的跖屈角度明显减少,由-11.98±8.43°减至-3.94±4.31°;髋关节站立相最大伸展角度由-7.41±10.06°增加至-14.10±10.60°;迈步相踝关节最大背屈角度明显提高,平均由-8.19±9.63°增至-4.25±3.71°;矢状面踝关节角度活动范围明显降低,平均由14.44±9.99°减至9.40±5.77°。结论:配戴踝足矫形器可以明显减轻脑瘫患儿异常步态模式的程度。     

早期使用踝足矫形器对脑性瘫痪婴儿预后的影响

目的:分析早期使用踝足矫形器行站立位运动训练对脑性瘫痪(脑瘫)婴儿预后的影响。方法:选取2003-05/2004-05天津儿童医院康复科收治的8～12个月龄痉挛型双瘫及四肢瘫脑瘫患儿共80例,以随机双盲法分为两组:观察组40例,对照组40例。实验过程:观察组在常规康复治疗的基础上,从治疗初即开始使用踝足矫形器行站立位运动训练。训练内容如下:①辅助下站立位抗重力训练,包括“自由站”与“捆站”两种方式。②双下肢能充分承重基础上行单下肢承重。③双下肢能充分承重基础上行躯干运动训练。④为独站、独走准备的立位运动训练。⑤以上内容循序渐进进行,1h/d。直至下肢能完全承重,异常站立姿势有效控制,患儿能独走后再考虑停用踝足矫形器。对照组按常规康复治疗,在24个月的观察期内,能独走后需要时再使用踝足矫形辅助站行,改善步态。实验评估:①采用残疾儿童综合功能评定量表在治疗前和治疗12,24个月后进行功能评估。量表内容包括5个方面(认知功能、言语功能、运动能力、自理动作、社会适应能力),每个方面包括10项具体内容,采用百分制评分标准(每项完成得2分,大部分完成得1.5分,完成一半得1分,小部分完成得0.5分,不能完成0分,满分为100分)。②观察组与对照组治疗12,24个月后可独走(3步以上)患儿人数。结果:对照组中途脱落4例,最终76名患儿进入结果分析。①治疗前综合功能评定两组相比差异无显著性意义(P>0.05)。②治疗12个月后运动能力、自理动作和社会适应性方面分数观察组均高于对照组[(10.35±3.38),(8.25±2.71)分;(2.61±0.97),(2.01±0.82)分;(8.30±4.37),(6.36±3.26)分;P均<0.05],认知功能和言语功能两组相比差异无显著性意义(P>0.05),综合功能总分观察组高于对照组[(35.05±9.62),(29.00±7.10)分,P<0.05]。③治疗24个月后运动能力、自理动作和社会适应性方面分数观察组显著高于对照组[(15.15±2.25),(12.61±4.03)分;(4.35±1.24),(3.45±1.67)分;(10.61±4.71),(7.05±3.57)分;P均<0.001],认知功能和言语功能方面分数观察组高于对照组[(7.70±3.22),(6.22±3.15)分;(15.61±3.04),(13.50±5.02)分;P均<0.05],综合功能总分观察组显著高于对照组[(53.60±13.32),(42.83±10.48)分,P<0.001]。④观察组治疗12,24个月后能独走患儿人数均高于对照组[9例(22.5%),19例(47.5%);2例(5.6%),6例(16.7%),P<0.05]。结论:痉挛型脑瘫患儿8～12月龄开始使用踝足矫形器行站立位运动训练,可以更好地改善患儿综合功能,有助于实现尽早步行。     

脑性瘫痪患儿踝足矫形器的应用

目的踝足矫形器是小儿脑性瘫痪治疗中最常见的一种矫形器,探讨不同种类踝足矫形器的特点及有效性。方法应用计算机检索PubMed1992-07/2004-05期间相关文章,检索词为“orthoses,cerebralpalsy”,并限定文章语言种类为English,同时计算机检索《中国临床康复》1990-01/2004-05期间相关文章,并限定语言种类为中文,检索词“矫形器,脑性瘫痪”。结果英文文献共检得19篇,除6篇为重复研究,选取13篇纳入;中文文献共检出2篇,全部纳入。结论不同设计的踝足矫形器对脑性瘫痪患儿的治疗作用各有侧重,最好据实际情况为患儿佩戴最适合的矫形器。踝足矫形器是脑性瘫痪治疗中一项重要的有效的治疗手段。     

功能性电刺激联合踝足矫形器对脑卒中下肢运动功能的疗效评价

目的:探讨功能性电刺激(FES)联合踝足矫形器(AFO)治疗脑卒中下肢运动功能的临床疗效。方法:选取脑卒中患者72例随机分为对照组、观察1组和观察2组各24例,3组患者均接受常规康复治疗,观察1组给予AFO治疗,观察2组在AFO治疗的同时予以FES治疗。治疗前后给予下肢Brunnstrom分期(RSB)、下肢FuglMeyer运动评分(FMA)、Holden步行功能(FAC)及10m步行能力测试(10mWT)评定。结果:治疗4周后,3组患者的FMA、FAC及RSB评分较治疗前均有不同程度的提高(均P0.05);且观察2组各项评分均高于对照组(均P0.05),观察2组的FMA评分更高于观察1组(P0.05),FAC及RSB评分,观察2组与观察1组之间比较差异无统计学意义。治疗后,3组患者的10mWT时间均较治疗前明显缩短(均P0.05),且观察1组和观察2组较对照组下降更明显(均P0.05),观察2组更低于观察1组(P0.05)。结论:常规康复治疗可有效改善卒中下肢运动功能,踝足矫形器的治疗作用值得肯定,联合功能性电刺激治疗作用更加明显,值得临床推广。     

踝足矫形器对脑卒中患者步行能力影响的疗效观察

目的：观察佩戴踝足矫形器（AFO）对脑卒中患者步行能力改善的程度。方法：脑卒中偏瘫患者32例,给予佩戴50S1动态踝足矫形器7d后,采用三维步态分析系统评测佩戴AFO前后的步态空间域参数和步态时间域参数。结果：佩戴7d后,脑卒中患者步态空间域参数中平均步幅宽患、健侧均较佩戴前下降（P〈O．05）,平均步幅长、步伐长和平均步向角患、健侧均较佩戴前增大（P〈0．05,0．01）;步态时间域参数中步速、步频和双支撑相百分比患侧、健侧均较佩戴前明显增加,（P〈O．01）,单支撑相和摆动相百分比患侧较佩戴前明显增加、健侧较佩戴前下降（P〈O．01）。结论：佩戴AFO可以改善脑卒中患者步态的稳定性,患、健侧的步速、步频均明显提高,并且佩戴后即刻发挥作用。     

为脑瘫患儿设计的动态踝足矫形器

近年来 ,随着人们对矫形器生物力学功能认识的逐步深入 ,矫形器在痉挛型脑瘫患儿康复中的应用也越来越多。笔者应用生物力学原理设计的动态踝足矫形器 ,采用了功能性足托和动态踝 ,在脑瘫患儿的康复治疗中取得了较好的成效。1动态踝足矫形器的设计与构造动态踝足矫形器采用后片式踝足矫形器的结构形式 ,用抗疲劳强度和刚性具佳的聚丙烯塑料制成 ,而且足和小腿两部分连成一体 ,形成一定的初始踝角度 ,而且踝部能够围绕初始踝角度在一定范围内进行背屈 /跖屈活动 ,以达到控制和稳定踝关节的目的。本矫形器在足部特别设计了一个功能性足托 ,具…     

半掌踝足矫形器与足跟镂空踝足矫形器对脑卒中患者步态影响的比较

目的 观察半掌踝足矫形器和足跟镂空踝足矫形器对脑卒中患者步态的影响。方法 选取符合标准的脑卒中患者25例,采用步态分析系统分别对25例脑卒中后步行功能障碍患者裸足、佩戴半掌踝足矫形器和佩戴足跟镂空踝足矫形器时的步行状态进行分析,记录三种状态下患者的步速、步频、健侧摆动相、患侧摆动相、跌倒风险和3 m起立计时行走时间,并进行统计学分析。 结果 受试者佩戴足跟镂空踝足矫形器时的步频为（86.718±17.947）Hz,较裸足和佩戴半掌踝足矫形器时均显著加快,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。受试者佩戴足跟镂空踝足矫形器时的步态不对称系数为（0.086±0.070）,与裸足时比较,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。受试者佩戴半掌踝足矫形器和佩戴足跟镂空踝足矫形器时的3 m起立计时行走时间较裸足时均显著缩短,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。受试者佩戴半掌踝足矫形器和佩戴足跟镂空踝足矫形器时的跌倒风险均显著低于裸足时,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);且受试者佩戴足跟镂空踝足矫形器时的跌倒风险亦显著低于佩戴半掌踝足矫形器时,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论 佩戴半掌踝足矫形器和足跟镂空踝足矫形器均可有效纠正脑卒中患者的步态,降低其跌倒风险,且佩戴足跟镂空踝足矫形器的优势更加明显。     

局部肌肉振动对男性慢性非特异性腰痛患者腰背肌疲劳的即刻效应

目的:通过表面肌电(surface electromyography, sEMG)探讨局部肌肉振动对慢性非特异性腰痛(chronic non-specific low back pain,CNSLBP)患者腰背肌疲劳的即刻效应。方法:16例CNSLBP患者进行Biering-S?rensen测试(BST)。前后进行三阶段测试,每阶段测试含2次BST(分别记作BST1、BST2)。第一阶段测试(空白对照阶段):先进行BST,俯卧位休息5min,再进行第二次BST;间隔1周后,进行第二阶段测试(局部肌肉振动阶段):先进行BST,俯卧位使用深层肌肉刺激器(deep muscle stimulator,DMS)对双侧腰竖脊肌、多裂肌振动治疗5min,再进行第二次BST;第二阶段测试后再间隔1周,进行第三阶段测试(局部肌肉假振动阶段):先进行BST,间隔充气状态医用橡胶手套下,俯卧位使用DMS对双侧腰竖脊肌、多裂肌振动治疗5min,再进行第二次BST。观察三种不同干预下BST维持时间及双侧腰竖脊肌、多裂肌的sEMG指标:平均功率频率(mean power frequency, MPF)。结果:①三个阶段BST维持时间比较:BST2较BST1均下降,差异具有显著性意义(P0.05);BST2间比较,局部肌肉振动阶段显著高于空白对照阶段、局部肌肉假振动阶段,差异具有显著性意义(P0.05);②三个阶段双侧腰竖脊肌/多裂肌MPF比较:除外局部肌肉振动阶段对侧多裂肌差异无显著性意义(P=0.057),BST2较BST1均下降,差异具有显著性意义(P0.05);BST2间比较,局部肌肉振动阶段显著高于空白对照阶段、局部肌肉假振动阶段,差异具有显著性意义(P0.05);③双侧腰竖脊肌间/多裂肌间比较:BST1中,痛侧均显著高于对侧,差异具有显著性意义(P0.01),BST2中,除外局部肌肉振动阶段双侧腰竖脊肌间差异无显著性意义(P=0.053)、局部肌肉振动阶段双侧多裂肌间比较P=0.042,其他阶段痛侧均显著高于对侧,差异具有显著性意义(P0.05)。结论:局部肌肉振动对缓解CNSLBP患者腰背肌疲劳具有良好的即刻效应,并可有效平衡双侧腰背肌的易疲劳性。     

Effects of ankle-foot orthoses on ankle and foot kinematics in patients with subtalar osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether different foot orthoses have a similar effect on foot kinematics in subjects with subtalar osteoarthritis (OA) when walking on various ground conditions. DESIGN: Within-subject comparison study. SETTING: Biomechanics research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Ten subjects with unilateral subtalar OA. INTERVENTIONS: Custom-made ankle foot orthosis (AFO), rigid hindfoot orthosis (HFO-R), and articulated hindfoot orthosis (HFO-A) were used by subjects walking on level, ascending, and descending ramp, and side slope conditions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The triplanar range of motion of the calcaneus relative to tibia (hindfoot) and metatarsal relative to calcaneus (forefoot) was measured using an 8-camera motion analysis system when subjects with subtalar OA wore different foot orthoses. RESULTS: Braces tended to perform similarly in reducing motion of the forefoot and hindfoot for all ground conditions when compared with unbraced but wearing shoes. The AFO significantly restricted frontal plane hindfoot motion during ramp descent (P<.01) and on a side slope when the arthritic subtalar joint was higher than the unaffected side (P=.02). The HFO-A provided significant frontal plane hindfoot motion restriction during ramp descent (P<.01) and on a side slope when the arthritic subtalar joint was lower than the unaffected side (P=.03). The HFO-R significantly restricted frontal plane hindfoot motion in all ground conditions except ramp ascent (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: The HFO-R provides significant subtalar joint motion restriction while walking. The HFO-R may be considered an optimal orthosis for patients with subtalar OA pain arising from subtalar motion.     

Effects of ankle-foot orthoses on ankle and foot kinematics in patient with ankle osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: To determine if different foot orthoses have a similar effect on foot kinematics in subjects with ankle osteoarthritis (OA) when walking on various ground conditions. DESIGN: Within-subject comparisons study. SETTING: Biomechanics research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen subjects with unilateral ankle OA. INTERVENTIONS: Custom-made ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), rigid hindfoot orthosis (HFO-R), and articulated hindfoot orthosis (HFO-A) were used by subjects when walking on level, ascending and descending ramp, and side-slope conditions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The range of motion of the hindfoot (calcaneus relative to tibia) and forefoot (metatarsal relative to calcaneus) was measured using an 8-camera motion analysis system. RESULTS: The AFO and HFO-R provided the best sagittal plane hindfoot motion restriction over all ground conditions (P<.001). The HFO-R allowed the greatest sagittal plane forefoot motion when walking over level (P=.01) and side-slope (P<.02) conditions, the greatest frontal plane forefoot motion walking down the ramp (P=.003), and the greatest transverse plane forefoot motion when walking over level (P=.011) and ramp-ascending conditions (P=.005). The HFO-A restricted motion of the unaffected joint and did not effectively restrict hindfoot motion. CONCLUSIONS: The HFO-R not only provides selective restriction to the ankle-hindfoot motion, but also allows sufficient forefoot motion compared with the AFO. We consider the HFO-R to be the best option of all tested orthoses for treating patients with ankle OA pain arising from ankle motion.     

Influence of aging on isometric muscle strength,fat-free mass and electromyographic signal power of the upper and lower limbs in women

Background

Aging is a multifactorial process that leads to changes in the quantity and quality of skeletal muscle and contributes to decreased levels of muscle strength.

Objective

This study sought to investigate whether the isometric muscle strength, fat-free mass (FFM) and power of the electromyographic (EMG) signal of the upper and lower limbs of women are similarly affected by aging.

Method

The sample consisted of 63 women, who were subdivided into three groups (young (YO) n=33, 24.7±3.5 years; middle age (MA) n=15, 58.6±4.2 years; and older adults (OA). n=15, 72.0±4.2 years). Isometric strength was recorded simultaneously with the capture of the electrical activity of the flexor muscles of the fingers and the vastus lateralis during handgrip and knee extension tests, respectively. FFM was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results

The handgrip strength measurements were similar among groups (p=0.523), whereas the FFM of the upper limbs was lower in group OA compared to group YO (p=0.108). The RMSn values of the hand flexors were similar among groups (p=0.754). However, the strength of the knee extensors, the FFM of the lower limbs and the RMSn values of the vastus lateralis were lower in groups MA (p=0.014, p=0.006 and p=0.013, respectively) and OA (p=0.000, p=0.000 and p<0.000, respectively) compared to group YO.

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrate that changes in isometric muscle strength in MLG and electromyographic activity of the lower limbs are more pronounced with the aging process of the upper limb.     

Endotoxins modify muscle fatigue characteristics

Summary— To test the hypothesis that endotoxins can directly modify muscle fatigue characteristics, in vitro experiments were performed on rat muscles 48 hours after injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Klebsiella pneumoniae. Resistance to fatigue was quantified by measuring tension production during repetitive electrical stimulation of the isolated epitrochlearis muscle. LPS treatment did not significantly modify initial force production whereas fatigability of the muscle was increased. This in vitro preparation should be used for testing antifatigue drugs.     

电针委中穴缓解腰背肌疲劳的表面肌电研究

目的:通过表面肌电探讨电针委中穴对腰背肌疲劳的缓解效应,为电针治疗慢性腰痛寻找实验依据。方法:30例健康大学生,测试前通过视频资料熟悉测试过程,前后进行3组测试(分别间隔1周),每组测试含2次腰背肌耐力测试。第一组测试(空白对照组):先进行腰背肌耐力测试,俯卧位休息5min,再进行第二次腰背肌耐力测试;1周后,进行第二组测试(电针委中组):先进行腰背肌耐力测试,俯卧位电针双侧委中穴5min,取针后再进行第二次腰背肌耐力测试;再1周后,进行第三组测试(电针假委中组):先进行腰背肌耐力测试,俯卧位电针双侧腘横纹中股二头肌肌腱内侧5min,取针后再进行第二次腰背肌耐力测试。间隔1周内,嘱受试者维持日常作息,不进行剧烈活动,排除第二组、第三组测试时腰背肌出现疲劳、疼痛等不适者(本研究无剔除、脱落样本),以避免前后两组测试间相互影响。测试由4人同步进行,分别操作测试床、关节活动度尺、针刺与电针仪和表面肌电图仪。观察三种不同干预下腰背肌耐力测试维持时间及双侧腰竖脊肌、多裂肌的表面肌电(sEMG)指标——平均功率频率(MPF)。结果:三种干预方式下腰背肌耐力测试维持时间比较:第一次测试较第二次测试差异有显著性(P0.05);第二次测试电针委中组与空白对照组、电针假委中组比较,差异有显著性(P0.05);空白对照组与电针假委中组比较,第二次测试差异没有显著性(P0.05)。三种干预方式下双侧腰竖脊肌和多裂肌MPF比较:第二次测试较第一次测试差异有显著性(P0.05);电针委中组与空白对照组、电针假委中组比较,第二次测试差异有显著性(P0.05);空白对照组与电针假委中组比较,第二次测试差异没有显著性(P0.05)。结论:电针委中穴可有效缓解双侧腰竖脊肌和多裂肌疲劳。     

多节变形固定板的生物力学测试及临床应用研究

[目的]探讨多节变形固定板的生物力学特点及临床应用价值.[方法]①取6套多节变形固定板和6套柳木夹板, 随机分为6组.在不同作用力下,测出两种夹板受力后产生的纵向位移及撤销外力后的剩余位移, 绘制相应曲线图进行分析.②80例桡骨远端伸直型骨折患者被随机分两组（多节变形固定板组和柳木夹板组各40例）.治疗4周、8周后观察患者的主、客观及X线片表现, 依据Jakim评分标准进行评分,了解骨折愈合情况、复位固定效果、患肢功能恢复状况.[结果]多节变形固定板强度及弹性明显优于柳木夹板（P〈0.05）;经多节变形固定板治疗后的骨折愈合情况、复位固定效果、患肢功能恢复均优于传统柳木夹板（P〈0.05）.[结论]多节变形固定板是一种理想的外固定材料,力学性能稳定, 弹性和强度均能满足临床要求,临床疗效满意.     

Surface EMG based muscle fatigue evaluation in biomechanics

In the last three decades it has become quite common to evaluate local muscle fatigue by means of surface electromyographic (sEMG) signal processing. A large number of studies have been performed yielding signal-based quantitative criteria of fatigue in primarily static but also in dynamic tasks. The non-invasive nature of this approach has been particularly appealing in areas like ergonomics and occupational biomechanics, to name just the most prominent ones. However, a correct appreciation of the findings concerned can only be obtained by judging both the scientific value and practical utility of methods while appreciating the corresponding advantages and limitations. The aim of this paper is to serve as a state of the art summary of this issue. The paper gives an overview of classical and modern signal processing methods and techniques from the standpoint of applicability to sEMG signals in fatigue-inducing situations relevant to the broad field of biomechanics. Time domain, frequency domain, time–frequency and time-scale representations, and other methods such as fractal analysis and recurrence quantification analysis are described succinctly and are illustrated with their biomechanical applications, research or clinical alike. Examples from the authors’ own work are incorporated where appropriate. The future of this methodology is projected by estimating those methods that have the greatest chance to be routinely used as reliable muscle fatigue measures.     

The effect of hinged ankle-foot orthoses on sit-to-stand transfer in children with spastic cerebral palsy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of the hinged ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) on sit-to-stand (STS) transfers in children with spastic cerebral palsy. DESIGN: Before-after trial. SETTING: University-affiliated hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen spastic diplegic children (age range, 2-6 y). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The transitional movement of STS was tested in random order with children while wearing the barefoot and hinged AFOs. The temporal, kinematic, and kinetic data during the task were collected by using a motion analyzer (with 6 infrared cameras). Statistical comparison between barefoot and hinged AFO was done with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: Total duration of STS transfer was significantly shortened with the hinged AFO (P <.05). The initial knee flexion, the initial angle, and the final angle of ankle dorsiflexion were increased with the AFO, compared with when barefoot (P <.05). However, the increased pelvic tilt and hip flexion while barefoot was not reduced with the AFO. The maximal moment and power of hip and knee joints were significantly increased with the AFO (P <.05), whereas the maximal moment and power of the ankle joint were not significantly changed when wearing the AFO. CONCLUSIONS: Although proximal compensatory strategy of increased pelvic tilt and hip flexion did not change with the hinged AFO, some improvements of temporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters were identified during the task. These findings suggest that a hinged AFO is beneficial for STS transfer activity for children with spastic diplegia.