Actively Recruiting
The Effects of AFO Heel Height and Stiffness on Gait
Led by University of Iowa · Updated on 2025-12-31
40
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
373 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The proposed study evaluates the effect of ankle foot orthosis (AFO) heel height and stiffness on the forces and motion of the lower limb during over-ground walking in individuals who use an AFO for daily walking. Previous studies suggest that heel height and stiffness effect limb loading, but these data and the analysis techniques applied are limited. In this study, heel cushions with different height and stiffness's (4 conditions) will be placed in participants shoes and they will walk at controlled and self-selected speeds. Participants will also walk with their AFO as configured prior to enrollment, and with no AFO if possible. The proposed study will provide evidence that can be used by clinicians and researchers to align braces that most effectively improve function during every-day walking.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
The Effects of AFO Heel Height and Stiffness on Gait
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age between 18 and 70 years
- Daily use of an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) for below-knee functional deficits from musculoskeletal injury, disease, or peripheral nervous system disease
- Using current AFO for more than 2 weeks
- Able to walk 50 feet without assistive devices
- Able to walk at a slow to moderate pace
- AFO fits into traditional footwear
- Able to read and write English and provide written informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- Pain greater than 6/10 when walking or pain increasing more than 2/10 during testing
- Central nervous system disorders such as stroke, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, or conditions causing lower limb spasticity
- Disorders affecting peripheral nerve function not related to study groups (e.g., diabetes, Charcot Marie Tooth for Group 1 exclusion)
- Limited function in the opposite lower limb due to injury or neurological/musculoskeletal disorder
- Use of hinged or articulating AFOs or AFOs that restrict ankle and foot motion
- Use of AFOs that extend above the knee
- Insufficient shoe space for the tallest heel wedge and AFO
- Visual or hearing impairments limiting walking ability or compliance with instructions
- Pregnancy (self-reported)
- Body mass index greater than 40
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, United States, 52242
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jason M Wilken, PT, PhD
CONTACT
K
Kirsten M Anderson, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
24
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