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Effects of AFO use on walking in boys with duchenne muscular dystrophy: a pilot study
Townsend EL, Tamhane H, Gross KD
Pediatric Physical Therapy 2015 Spring;27(1):24-29
clinical trial
3/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: No; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: Yes; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: No; Point estimates and variability: No. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

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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