A Review of the Clinical Effectiveness of Plastic Ankle-Foot Orthoses

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to analyze the research trends and clinical effects of articulated plastic ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) and non-articulated plastic ankle-foot orthoses and to suggest guidelines for clinical use.Methods: For this study, we used the domestic search databases 'KISS' and 'RISS' .The search terms used were 'AFO' and 'ankle-foot orthosis.' Results: Domestic plastic ankle-foot orthoses were studied in healthy adults, CP, stroke, and hemiplegia.Independent variables included barefoot, shoes, braces, taping, and FES.Dependent variables included valgus, electromyography (EMG), gait, and heart rate energy expenditure index (EEI).The clinical benefits of articulated AFOs include promoting natural ankle movement and muscle activation, thereby improving gait flexibility and efficiency.The clinical benefits of non-articulated AFOs include limiting ankle joint movement, thereby contributing to improved joint stability, static balance, and gait stability.Conclusion: Articulated AFOs offer advantages for functional gait, while non-articulated AFOs offer stability.Appropriate selection is crucial for clinical applications, considering the patient's condition and stage of rehabilitation.