PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of an ankle-foot orthosis on gait variables (velocity and cadence) of stroke patients. To do this, a systematic review was conducted of four databases. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The papers identified were evaluated based on the following inclusion criteria: (1) design: controlled, clinical trial; (2) population: stroke patients; (3) intervention: analysis of spatiotemporal variables of gait with an ankle-foot orthosis; (4) control group with different intervention or no intervention; and (5) outcome: improvement in gait velocity or cadence. RESULTS: Thirteen controlled trials addressing the effect of an ankle-foot orthosis on gait variables of stroke patients were found. They exhibited methodological quality of 3 or more points on the PEDro scale. CONCLUSION: While the findings suggest the benefits of an AFO regarding gait velocity, the impact of this type of orthosis on cadence remains inconclusive. Thus, there is a need for further well-designed randomized, controlled, clinical trials to establish better scientific evidence for the effects of AFO usage on gait variables of stroke patients.

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A brief summary and a critical assessment of this review may be available at DARE