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Objectives: Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) are widely utilized to improve walking ability in hemiplegic patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Rocker bar Ankle Foot Orthosis (RAFO) on functional mobility in post-stroke hemiplegic patients.
Methods: Fifteen hemiplegic patients (men and women) who were at least 6-months poststroke and able to walk without an assistive device for at least 10 meters voluntarily participated in this study. The patients were examined for three conditions: shoes only, with SAFO and with RAFO. Their functional mobility was evaluated through 10-meter walk test and Timed Up and
Go (TUG) test. In addition, paired t-test was used to analyze the obtained data.
Results: When the patients used RAFO, their gait speed significantly increased (P<0.05). Moreover, the time of performing TUG test experienced a significant decrease using RAFO compared with utilizing shoe only (P<0.05).
Discussion: RAFO led to a significant improvement in functional mobility in hemiplegic patients post stroke. This may be due to the positive effect of rocker modification on improving push off and transferring weight during the stance phase of gait.