Weight-bearing ability has a major influence on the functional
behavior of stroke patients1)
. The degree of weightbearing
asymmetry while standing still is related to motor
function in stroke patients, and the ability to shift weight in
the forward and lateral directions is known to be highly related
to walking ability2)
. Cheng et al. reported that weightbearing
asymmetry while rising from a chair increases the
likelihood of falls in stroke patients3)
.
Strokes can manifest various clinical signs depending on
the level and location of the cerebrovascular disease. One of
the most common problems is a change in weight-bearing
asymmetry during exercise or in a standing position4)
. The
primary goal of functional rehabilitation for a patient with
stroke-induced hemiplegia is to reduce the asymmetry of
weight bearing5)
.
An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is generally used to improve
a hemiplegic patient’s weight transfer and gait. The
AFO partially corrects abnormal gait such as foot drop during
the swing phase, anteroposterior instability of the ankle
and improper push off during the stance phase6)
. Moreover, it
also supports and protects ankle joints, as well as correcting
movements and helping fixation7)
. The AFO also increases