Effects of an Ankle-Foot Orthosis on Gait While Performing an Attention Demanding Task

A quasi-experimental, randomized 2 x 2 factorial within subjects study with the factor of walking condition (2 levels, walking with and without ankle-foot orthotic device) and attention condition (2 levels, walking with and without attention task).

Inclusion criteria

• be over the age of 18;
• have the presence of hemiplegia after stroke;
• be wearing an ankle-foot orthosis for at least 6 weeks;
• be able to walk independently and comfortably for a minimum distance of 12 m with or without assistive aids (AFOs, canes and walkers);
• be able to read and understand English, follow verbal instructions and provide verbal answers to questions;
• be able to reach criterion on the attention task (described below)
• be competent to give informed consent as determined by clinical team and noted in the health chart

Exclusion criteria

• have history of balance deficits not related to stroke;
• be at high risk of falling during the study;
• suffer from severe aphasia or dementia as determined by health chart and/or initial cognitive screening using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test.