A 3D-printed ankle-foot orthosis aids stroke survivors′ recovery of walking function
10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-1424.2024.06.007
- VernacularTitle:3D打印踝足矫形器与传统踝足矫形器对脑卒中患者步行功能恢复的疗效观察
- Author:
Ge GAO
1
;
Huaping GUO
;
Man HE
;
Xiaojun FANG
;
Lijie GOU
Author Information
1. 承德医学院附属医院康复医学科，承德 067000
- Keywords:
Stroke;
3D printing;
Ankle and foot orthosis;
Walking;
Balance
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2024;46(6):524-528
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To compare the effect of a 3D-printed ankle and foot orthosis (AFO) with that of a traditional AFO on the recovery of walking function after a stroke.Methods:Thirty-four hemiplegic stroke survivors were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 17. Both groups were taught good limb placement and given joint mobility, standing and walking training for 4 weeks wearing either a 3D-printed or a conventional AFO. Walking speed, walking endurance, and dynamic balance were evaluated before and after the experiment using the 10-metre walk test (10MWT), the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and the timed up and go test (TUGT). Integrated electromyography (iEMG) was also performed on each subject′s bilateral rectus femoris, anterior tibialis, and gastrocnemius muscles during walking, and their healthy and affected side iEMG results were compared to assess the activation of the affected lower limb muscles.Results:After treatment, the 10MWT, 6MWT, and TUGT results of both groups had improved significantly, but the observation group′s average results were then significantly better than those in the control group. The iEMG disparities between the healthy and affected sides had also decreased significantly, but on average the disparities in the observation group were significantly smaller than in the control group.Conclusion:Both types of AFO can effectively improve the walking speed, walking endurance, and dynamic balance of hemiplegic stroke survivors and promote muscle activation in the affected lower limb. A 3D-printed AFO is relatively more effective.
