Effect of ankle-foot orthoses on functional performance and physiological cost index in children with cerebral palsy

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of ankle foot orthoses (AFO) on functional performance and  physiological cost index in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: A convenience sample of 30 children with CP (14 hemiplegics, 16 diplegics) with a mean age of 10±3 years were  the subjects of the study. The children were in the first and second level of Gross Motor Functional Classification System and  had been using their appropriate and comfortable AFOs regularly for at least three weeks. All of these children were properly  rehabilitated by pediatric physiotherapists in rehabilitation centers at least two days in a week. The children were tested with  and without AFOs by using timed up and go test, timed up and down stairs test, timed one legged stance test, one minute  walk test and functional reach test. Physiological Cost Index was used to assess energy cost during the one minute walk test. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed in favor of the AFO condition in all of the measured parameters  (p 0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that AFOs with correct biomechanical features improve postural control, functional  performance, and physiologic cost of gait in children with CP. However if we applied a longer walking test instead of one  minute walk test, results could be more valuable.