Physical and functional correlations of ankle-foot orthosis use in the rehabilitation of stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE

To examine factors associated with the use of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) in stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of the frequency of AFO use.

SETTING

Inpatient rehabilitation unit.

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive stroke patients (n = 423) admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit over a 10-year period.

INTERVENTION: Discharge with AFO.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional outcome measurement scores of patients who were and who were not prescribed an AFO were examined. The groups were compared by using admission and discharge Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Impairment Inventory (CM; each measure analyzed separately), FIMtrade mark instrument (walking, stairs, overall measures), and Berg Balance Scale scores.

RESULTS

Ninety-three of the 423 patients (22%) were discharged with an AFO. Overall, they scored consistently lower than patients who were discharged without an AFO. Statistically significant differences (p <.001) were noted between AFO users and nonusers in admission and discharge scores in the arm, hand, leg, and foot components of the CM and the FIM stairs and walking component scores. Average admission and discharge Berg scores differed between the 2 groups (p =.005, p =.013, respectively). Overall FIM scores were also significantly different both at admission and discharge (p <.001, p =.025, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Use of AFOs at discharge was associated with significantly lower admission and discharge CM scores of the arm, hand, leg, and foot; FIM walking and stairs scores; total FIM scores; and Berg Balance Scale scores.