Compare the efficacy between conventional physiotherapy and unilateral ankle foot orthosis (AFO) among patients with stroke suffering from gait dysfunction

Abstract

Background: Stroke is defined as sudden onset of focal neurological deficit lasting more than 24 hours. The most common cause of long-term impairments is a stroke. 0.3% of people had a stroke. The gait of patients with stroke was characterized by decreased velocity and cadence, and increased gait cycle and double limb support. For correction of gait dysfunction, some treatment has been developed, including unilateral AFO and conventional physiotherapy. Aim: The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy between conventional physiotherapy and unilateral ankle foot orthosis among stroke patients suffering from gait dysfunction. Methodology: The design was a quantitative pre experimental study that followed the stroke patient with gait dysfunction who were receiving treatment from CRP and prescribed for AFO. Total 20 patients were taken according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study. Data were collected by semi structured questionnaires; TUG test, 6MWT and Gait parameters were used to evaluate and repeated measure ANOVA was used to evaluate the outcome. Results: This study was found that both conventional physiotherapy and AFO had beneficial effects on the improvement of walking dysfunction of stroke patient. In comparison of conventional physiotherapy and baseline data, conventional physiotherapy was more significant (TUG, P<0.010; 6MWT, P<0.012; STPL, P<0.00; STDL, P<0.00; Speed, P<0,014) also, in comparison of conventional physiotherapy and AFO, AFO shows some significant result (TUG, P<0.003; 6MWT, P<0.047; STPL, P<0.00; STDL, P<0.00; Speed, P<0.039). Discussion: The study showed significant difference among the three levels of data. Conventional physiotherapy and AFO both are significant from baseline data for gait dysfunction of stroke patient. Also, between conventional physiotherapy and AFO, AFO shows some significant result for improvement of gait dysfunction among stroke patient but AFO could showed more significant result if it used with conventional physiotherapy. Limitation: Samples were very small in number; study duration was also limited and data was collected only from CRP which was not sufficient enough for the study to generalize the wider population. Conclusion: It can be concluded that both conventional physiotherapy and unilateral AFO is effective for gait dysfunction of stroke patient. Keywords: AFO, Conventional physiotherapy, TUG, 6MWT, Gait parameter, ANOVA. Total word count: 10600