A retrospective observational study of ankle foot orthosis represcription among community-dwelling stroke survivors previously prescribed AFOs with oil damper in a rehabilitation setting

• Published in: Journal of Assistive Technology in Physical Therapy Vol. 4; no. 1; pp. 13 - 18
• Main Authors: 宮坂 翔太, 須江 慶太, 森泉 秀太郎, 土屋 隆道, 塩川 清信, 荒深 康司, 斎藤 文樹
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society of Assistive Technologies in Physical Therapy 30.09.2024; 日本支援工学理学療法学会
• Subjects: ankle foot orthosis; oil damper; represcription; spasticity; 下肢装具; 再作製; 油圧制動; 痙縮
• ISSN: 2436-6951
• DOI: 10.57302/jatpt.4.1_13

The purpose of this retrospective observational study was to reveal whether ankle foot orthosis (AFO) with oil damper (OD) was continuously prescribed after those were initially prescribed after stroke in a rehabilitation setting. The study included twenty-five community-dwelling stroke survivors who were prescribed AFOs with OD and planter flexion stop (PS) during their rehabilitation and outpatient visits. We collected data regarding the types of AFOs prescribed during their hospital rehabilitation and outpatient care and analyzed them using McNemer's analysis. Additionally, we examined the proportion of worsened spasticity in the paralyzed lower limb during the outpatient phase based on the type of prescribed AFOs during the rehabilitation phase, using Fisher's exact test. The results revealed that the proportion of AFOs with OD significantly decreased and changed to AFOs with PS upon re-prescription during outpatient care. Furthermore, the proportion of worsened spasticity increased in outpatient settings when AFOs with OD were prescribed during the initial rehabilitation phase. Our findings suggest that AFOs with OD may not be suitable for long-term use due to worsened spasticity and should be carefully monitored in community settings.