Volume : 11, Issue : 10, OCT 2025

COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF SOLID AND DYNAMIC ANKLE–FOOT ORTHOSES ON GAIT AND PHYSIOLOGICAL COST IN ADULTS WITH POST-STROKE FOOT DROP: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

MADHAV KUMAR MISHRA

Abstract

Background: Foot drop after stroke compromises toe clearance, gait symmetry and walking efficiency. Ankle–foot orthoses (AFOs) are commonly prescribed, but the relative effects of a solid polypropylene AFO (SAFO) and a dynamic foot-drop-stop AFO (DAFO-FDS) remain clinically relevant, particularly in resource-limited rehabilitation settings.

Objective: To compare selected gait parameters and physiological cost index (PCI) in adults with post-stroke hemiplegic foot drop using a SAFO and a DAFO-FDS.

Methods: Thirty adults with hemiplegic foot drop participated in this comparative pre–post study. Fifteen participants were fitted with a polypropylene SAFO and 15 with a polypropylene DAFO-FDS. Participants received orthotic fitting and gait familiarisation followed by assessment using a 10-metre walking protocol. Step length, stride length, cadence, walking velocity and PCI were recorded. Between-group comparisons were performed using independent-samples t tests with statistical significance set at p<0.05.

Results: The SAFO group demonstrated a mean step length of 0.345±0.088 m, stride length of 0.595±0.249 m, cadence of 61.725±20.292 steps/min and velocity of 0.350±0.229 m/s. Corresponding values in the DAFO-FDS group were 0.260±0.081 m, 0.602±0.225 m, 61.075±11.442 steps/min and 0.300±0.187 m/s. Differences in these spatiotemporal measures were not statistically significant. PCI was higher with the SAFO (11.207±0.427) than with the DAFO-FDS (8.476±0.280), with a statistically significant between-group difference (reported p<0.001).

Conclusion: In this sample, the SAFO and DAFO-FDS produced broadly comparable spatiotemporal gait outcomes, whereas the DAFO-FDS was associated with a lower PCI. Orthosis selection should therefore consider physiological cost, ankle control requirements, gait speed, alignment, comfort and individual functional goals rather than gait parameters alone. Larger randomised studies with standardised accommodation and validated outcome measures are required.

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IESRJ

International Educational Scientific Research Journal

E-ISSN: 2455-295X

International Indexed Journal | Multi-Disciplinary Refereed Research Journal

ISSN: 2455-295X

Peer-Reviewed Journal - Equivalent to UGC Approved Journal

Peer-Reviewed Journal

Article No : 25

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