Efficacy of different techniques of AFO construction for hemiplegia patients: A systematic review

Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are frequently prescribed to improve gait deviation and normalize walking pattern in patients with drop foot hemiplegia disorder. This study was to review the efficacy of different techniques of AFO construction and biomechanics parameters of AFOs. Furthermore, this study aimed to provide a guideline for researchers in detail and help them choose a sufficient measurement instrument.

Information sources included MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, PubMed, and the Full Cochrane Library up to December 25, 2015. The inclusion criteria include: (1) type and method of controlled clinical trial studies; (2) age of hemiplegia groups (3); AFOs as an intervention; and (4) kinetic and kinematic parameters, and energy expenditure as an intervention of gait performance.

Considering eligibility criteria such as study design, setting, time frame and Language 9 papers with Pedro scores of 5 to 8 for methodological quality were included in the review.

The findings of this review can help to develop guidelines for the best AFO reporting as an intervention and to prevent vagueness of results in the different types of AFOs.