Date Approved

1998

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Physical Therapy (M.S.)

Degree Program

Physical Therapy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine If a difference exists in dynamic balance of elderly subjects with hemiplegia when the affected lower extremity Is braced with an articulated ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) versus unbraced. Participants were volunteers with a history of a cerebral vascular accident resulting In hemiplegia who required the use of an articulated AFO for ambulation. Balance data was obtained from the random limits of stability test on the Balance Master* version 3.4. Path length and limits of stability were analyzed using a multifactorial ANOVA. The AFO did not have a statistically significant effect on path length or limits of stability. The subject, target position, and trial number all showed significant effects on path length and limits of stability. Since only four people volunteered for this study, the results cannot be extrapolated to a larger population. However, this study provides the theoretical framework for future research.

Comments

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