The Effects of Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) on Mobility in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
The Effects of Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) on Mobility in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) on the spatial and temporal gait parameters, electromyography (EMG), walking endurance, and quality of life in select individuals living with MS. The hypotheses of the study are: 1. Individuals who are fit with an AFO will demonstrate improvements in spatial and temporal gait parameters 2. Individuals who are fit with an AFO will demonstrate improvements in walking endurance. 3. Individuals who are fit with an AFO will demonstrate improvements in muscle firing profiles/EMG measures. 4. Individuals who are fit with an AFO will demonstrate improvements in quality of life.
This is a non-randomized, single group (N=15), repeated measures study. The outcome measure for the study include: 1. GAITRite System for step length, 2. EMG of the anterior tibialis, gastrocnemius, soleus, and vastus lateralis muscles, 3. 6 Minute Walk Test (gait endurance) 4. 12-Item MS Walking Scale (Quality of Life assessment). This study will be 24 weeks long. Over the 24-week period, the subject will participate in 14 gait training sessions which will be at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20 and 23. The treatments will be 45-60 minutes in duration. Outcome measures (all or part) will be assessed at the following times: initial (T1), week 5 (T2), week 13 (T3), and week 24 (T4). Subjects will be closely monitored throughout the 24 week study and will be un-enrolled by self-request or the following medical reasons: 1. Acute exacerbation of MS symptoms, 2. New diagnosis with direct consequences affecting gait training, 3. Inability to tolerate the AFO.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: