Automatic postural responses in individuals with peripheral neuropathy and ankle-foot orthoses.

Eleven individuals with sensory neuropathy participated in static and dynamic balance tests with and without ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs). During the tests the subjects were required to stand on a fixed or moving computer-controlled platform with their eyes open or closed. Equilibrium scores, response latency, and strength scores were obtained. For all tests equilibrium scores were significantly larger in experiments with AFOs in comparison to conditions without AFOs (P<0.01). Decreased latency of responses with AFOs were recorded for medium and large magnitudes of movements of the platform in forward and backward directions. In addition, increased strength scores were observed when AFOs were used. The results indicate that AFOs could contribute significantly to postural control in individuals with peripheral neuropathy by providing auxiliary sensory cues to intact tissues of the lower extremities. These results have clinical implications that primarily aid in the understanding of how individuals with peripheral neuropathy benefit from the use of AFOs for postural stability.