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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2015 Spring;27(1):24-9.
doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000099.

Effects of AFO use on walking in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a pilot study

Elise L Townsend  1 , Himani Tamhane, K Douglas Gross
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of AFO use on walking in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a pilot study

Elise L Townsend et al. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2015 Spring.

Abstract

Purpose: Although bracing in the late ambulatory stage of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has been described, the effects of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) in earlier stages have not been evaluated. The aim of this pilot study was to describe the effects of dynamic response AFO (DR-AFO) use in boys with DMD who are ambulatory.

Methods: Using a crossover design, 3 boys were randomly assigned to either a 2-week DR-AFO or a placebo intervention. Phases were separated by a 1-week washout period. Primary outcomes were time to walk 10 m and a 6-Minute Walk Test.

Results: With DR-AFO use, declines in 10-m walk time (median decline = 0.8 s) and 6-Minute Walk Distance (median = 25.0 m) occurred. Parental report suggested that the use of DR-AFOs increased falls in 2 of 3 participants.

Conclusion: This pilot study does not support the use of DR-AFOs by boys with DMD who are ambulatory.

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