Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of wearing a dorsiflexion assist orthosis (DAO)
on walking distance, physiological cost, fatigue, and strength and balance
measures after a modified 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in people with multiple
sclerosis (MS). DESIGN: Randomized crossover trial. SETTING: Hospital Movement
Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: People with moderate MS and Expanded Disability Status
Scale score of 3.7+/-0.7 (N=34; 26 women). INTERVENTIONS: Modified 6MWT with and
without a DAO worn on the weaker leg. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Distance walked,
perceived fatigue, and the physiological cost of walking were compared between
walking conditions. Pre- and postwalk changes in knee extensor and ankle
dorsiflexor isometric strength and standing postural sway with eyes open and
closed were compared between walking conditions. RESULTS: There were no
differences in distance walked or perceived fatigue between the 2 walking
conditions. However, there was a reduced physiological cost of walking (P<.05), a
smaller reduction in knee extensor strength (P<.05), and a smaller increase in
standing postural sway with eyes open (P<.01) after walking while wearing the DAO
compared with walking without wearing the DAO. CONCLUSIONS: Despite not
increasing walking distance or reducing perceived fatigue, the DAO reduced the
physiological cost of walking and maintained knee strength and standing balance,
which may have important implications for physical rehabilitation in people with
MS. Further trials are required to determine whether the beneficial effects of
wearing a DAO found here are maintained for longer periods.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS