| Summary: | [Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an ankle foot orthosis
on weight-bearing abilities of stroke patients by comparing weight loading during
performance of tasks in various standing positions on the affected side. [Subjects and
Methods] This study was performed with 16 stroke patients. To measure the weight loading
value and percentage of weight loading in affected lower extremities, 5 standing tasks
were performed with and without an ankle foot orthosis in random order. [Results] In the
rising from a chair, maintaining a standing position, and forward weight shifting tasks,
the affected lower extremities showed a significantly higher percentage of weight loading
with an ankle foot orthosis. In the tasks requiring weight shifting to one leg, weight
shifting to the lateral side showed the best weight-bearing ability with or without an
ankle foot orthosis, followed by the forward and backward weight shifting, respectively.
There were statistically significant correlations in all 5 tasks with or without an ankle
foot orthosis. [Conclusion] An ankle foot orthosis improves the weight-bearing ability,
especially when shifting weight forward, resulting in increased weight-bearing ability in
activities of daily living tasks such as quiet standing and rising from a chair. The 5
tasks in this study would be a fine assessment tool under clinical conditions to
investigate the postural stability of the affected side with or without application of an
ankle foot orthosis.
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