| Abstract: | Background Restoration of normal movements of pelvis and centre of mass is a primary goal for the walking ability rehabilitation in post-stroke patients because these movements are considered an essential component of effective gait. The aim of this study is to quantitatively analyze the effect of ankle-foot orthosis on walking ability, and to investigate the correlation between the improvements in trunk motion and walking capacity.Methods The walking speed, centre of mass displacements, and pelvic movements were examined in twenty post-stroke hemiparetic patients with and without ankle-foot orthosis using the three-dimensional motion analysis system.Results The ankle-foot orthosis could improved walking speed, pelvic rotation and tilt movements, lateral and vertical displacements of centre of mass (P<0.01). Moreover, the gait asymmetry index was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the Functional Ambulation Categories score improved significantly in patients using an ankle-foot orthosis (P<0.05). There was significant correlation between the improvements in walking capacity and displacements of centre of mass in vertical and lateral directions (P<0.01).Conclusions Using ankle-foot orthosis can improve the walking capacity by stabilizing the stability and concordant of trunk in hemiplegic patients. The improvement of walking capacity by using ankle-foot orthosis may be attributed to its prevention against the foot drop and compensation for the instability of the ankle joint. |
