NCT07111091

Effect of Ankle-Foot Orthosis on Gait and Balance in Children With Hemiparatic Cerebral Palsy

Comparison of the Effects of Unilateral and Bilateral Plastic Ankle Foot Orthosis on Gait and Balance in Children With Hemiparatic Cerebral Palsy

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 19 (actual)
• Sponsor: Istanbul Medipol University Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 4 Years – 12 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Background: Ankle-foot orthoses are frequently prescribed to reduce spasticity, position the extremity more properly, and regulate gait during the rehabilitation process of children with cerebral palsy. Objective: To investigate the effects of unilateral or bilateral use of plastic ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) used in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (CP) on the child's gait and balance. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of unilateral and bilateral use of AFOs used in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy on gait and balance. Methods: 19 cooperative children aged 4-12 years, with gross motor function classification system levels 1 and 2, using bilateral AFOs were included in the study. Children were evaluated with bilateral AFOs, unilateral AFOs, and without AFOs. Trunk sway assessment was performed on the Bertec Balance force platform with eyes open and closed, and time-spatial characteristics of gait were evaluated with the GAITRite electronic walkway.

Conditions

• Cerebral Palsy (CP)
• Hemiparatic Cerebral Palsy
• Balance
• Gait Analysis
• Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	GAIT AND BALANCE EVALUATION	In our study, participants' walking assessments were made with GAITRite electronic walking path (CIR System INC. Clifton. NJ. USA.). In the postural balance assessments of the participants, the Bertec Balance Check Screener™ BP5050 20x20 inch (Bertec Comporation Columbus, OH, USA) force platform was used. The Bertec force platform is a three-component balance platform that is based on objectively measuring instantaneous changes in vertical force and center of pressure (CoP). Bertec was designed to evaluate the ability to maintain balance while standing. The assessments were made in all participants without an orthosis, with unilateral AFO and with bilateral AFO. In our study, participants were given a 10-minute rest period between assessments.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-12-19
• Primary completion: 2021-03-21
• Completion: 2024-12-24
• First posted: 2025-08-08
• Last updated: 2025-08-08

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)