Morgan K Boes1, Rachel E Bollaert2, Richard M Kesler3, Yvonne C Learmonth4, Mazharul Islam5, Matthew N Petrucci6, Robert W Motl7, Elizabeth T Hsiao-Wecksler8. 1. Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL. Electronic address: mboes2@illinois.edu. 2. Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL. 3. Illinois Fire Service Institute, Champaign, IL. 4. School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia. 5. Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL. 6. Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL; Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL. 7. Department of Physical Therapy, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. 8. Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL; Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL; Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a powered ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) that provides dorsiflexor and plantar flexor assistance at the ankle can improve walking endurance of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN: Short-term intervention. SETTING: University research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=16) with a neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of MS and daily use of a prescribed custom unilateral passive AFO. INTERVENTIONS: Three 6-minute walk tests (6MWTs), 1 per footwear condition: shoes (no AFO), prescribed passive AFO, and portable powered AFO (PPAFO). Assistive devices were worn on the impaired limb. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Distance walked and metabolic cost of transport were recorded during each 6MWT and compared between footwear conditions. RESULTS: Each participant completed all three 6MWTs within the experimental design. PPAFO use resulted in a shorter 6MWT distance than did a passive AFO or shoe use. No differences were observed in metabolic cost of transport between footwear conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The current embodiment of this PPAFO did not improve endurance walking performance during the 6MWT in a sample of participants with gait impairment due to MS. Further research is required to determine whether expanded training or modified design of this powered orthosis can be effective in improving endurance walking performance in persons with gait impairment due to MS.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a powered ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) that provides dorsiflexor and plantar flexor assistance at the ankle can improve walking endurance of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN: Short-term intervention. SETTING: University research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=16) with a neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of MS and daily use of a prescribed custom unilateral passive AFO. INTERVENTIONS: Three 6-minute walk tests (6MWTs), 1 per footwear condition: shoes (no AFO), prescribed passive AFO, and portable powered AFO (PPAFO). Assistive devices were worn on the impaired limb. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Distance walked and metabolic cost of transport were recorded during each 6MWT and compared between footwear conditions. RESULTS: Each participant completed all three 6MWTs within the experimental design. PPAFO use resulted in a shorter 6MWT distance than did a passive AFO or shoe use. No differences were observed in metabolic cost of transport between footwear conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The current embodiment of this PPAFO did not improve endurance walking performance during the 6MWT in a sample of participants with gait impairment due to MS. Further research is required to determine whether expanded training or modified design of this powered orthosis can be effective in improving endurance walking performance in persons with gait impairment due to MS.
Authors: Daniel Gomez-Vargas; Felipe Ballen-Moreno; Patricio Barria; Rolando Aguilar; José M Azorín; Marcela Munera; Carlos A Cifuentes Journal: Brain Sci Date: 2021-03-24
Authors: Azadeh Kian; Giwantha Widanapathirana; Anna M Joseph; Daniel T H Lai; Rezaul Begg Journal: Sensors (Basel) Date: 2022-03-14 Impact factor: 3.576