Effectiveness of Ankle Foot Orthoses on Gait in Multiple Sclerosis

Stopped early · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Multiple Sclerosis

In brief

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a specifically designed ankle foot orthosis (AFO, hinged, with tamarack joint and adjustable check strap) on the spatial and temporal gait parameters, electromyography (EMG), and walking endurance, in select individuals living with MS. This orthotic is fabricated to allow ankle range of motion required for normal gait kinematics. Additionally, it controls forward progression of the tibia during the stance phase of gait. This study has three hypotheses 1. Individuals who are fit with the AFO will demonstrate improvements in spatial and temporal gait parameters 2. Individuals who are fit with the AFO will demonstrate improvements in walking endurance, and 3. Individuals who are fit with the AFO will demonstrate improvements in muscle firing profiles/EMG measures.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01796860

Run by

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

People needed

10

Starts

2012-09-01

Expected to finish

2013-08-01

Last updated by the study team

2015-08-21

Who can join

Age: 21 and older, up to 60. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Individuals with a primary diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
• Individuals >21 and <60 years old
• Individuals who are able to maintain a walking velocity of 60 cm/sec for at least 2 minutes independently or with the use of a single tip assistive device.
• Current or past history of single or bilateral AFO use, including neuroprostheses
• Evidence of weakness in plantarflexors

You may not qualify if…

• The presence of co-morbidities (neuromuscular or musculoskeletal) that would negatively impact gait training
• Individuals with BMI with >/= 35kg/m2
• Individuals with range of motion deficit in the ankle limiting passive range of motion to neutral dorsiflexion
• Individuals that will begin the use of Ampyra during the course of the study
• Individuals for whom the cost of an orthosis would represent a financial burden
• Individuals who are receiving concurrent physical therapy services elsewhere,
• Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Questionnaire (MSNQ) of >22
• Individuals for whom bilateral AFOs are indicated, but have different design

Where it is running

• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, School of Health Professions — Dallas, Texas, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.