Study Comparing Carbon Ankle Foot Orthosis Versus Standard Plastic Ankle Foot Orthosis for Improving Walking in Patients with Foot Drop

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to compare the effectiveness of a carbon medical device ankle foot orthosis AFO versus a standard plastic AFO in helping patients with walking difficulties due to foot drop. Foot drop is a problem often seen in various nerve and muscle diseases that affects walking ability, autonomy, and quality of life. The study focuses on how well patients can achieve their personal goals related to walking function while using these devices. Participants will use two types of ankle foot orthoses alternately in four phases over 12 weeks starting with the standard plastic AFO, then switching to the carbon medical device AFO, followed again by the standard plastic AFO, and finishing with the carbon AFO. Each participant serves as their own comparison. The treatments are worn regularly during this period as part of four study phases. Throughout the study, participants will be assessed at five visits from day 0 to week 12. Researchers will evaluate goal achievement using the Goal Attainment Scaling GAS three times a week, along with measures of mobility, walking distance, fatigue, stability, disability, pain, gait, balance, tolerance, and satisfaction. This comprehensive monitoring helps understand how each device impacts walking function and overall patient experience.

Contribution of an Off-the-shelf Carbon Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) in the Management of Walking Functional Impairment