A Comparison between the Immediate Effect of Common Hip Flexion Assist Orthosis and Conventional AFO on Gait Parameters in Subjects with Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease which affects the skeletal muscles and optical neural networks. Weakness of ankle dorsi flexion and hip flexion muscles is commonly seen in consequence MS. The Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) is the most frequently prescribed orthoses to compensate for these weaknesses. It is generally believed that patients are commonly dissatisfied with AFOs. Hip Flexion Assist Orthosis (HFAO) is an orthosis which has been developed to address the shortcomings of the conventional AFO while it is neither manufactured nor prescribed in Iran earlier than the current study.Materials and Methods: Seventeen ambulatory MS subjects with unilateral lower extremity flexor weakness were participated in this study. All participants read and signed the consent form. Gait parameters including speed and step symmetry were evaluated after Two Minute Walk (2MW) test with and without AFO and HFAO interventions. The relation between BMI and the orthoses effectiveness was evaluated while and the participants` satisfaction was assessed by means of a valid questionnaire.Results: The average speed of walking and step symmetry was improved while using HFAO (P<0.001). The level of satisfaction was also significantly higher with HFAO. No significant relationship was found between the effect of body mass index (BMI) and effectiveness of the interventions.Conclusion: The results of the evaluations of this study indicate that the HFAO can immediately improve step symmetry and increase the speed of walking in MS subjects with hip flexors and ankle dorsiflexors weakness. It seems the BMI is not a determining factor in prescription of this orthosis.Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis, MS, Orthosis, HFAO, AFO