The Effects of Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) on Mobility in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) on the spatial and temporal gait parameters, electromyography (EMG), walking endurance, and quality of life in select individuals living with MS. The hypotheses of the study are: 1. Individuals who are fit with an AFO will demonstrate improvements in spatial and temporal gait parameters 2. Individuals who are fit with an AFO will demonstrate improvements in walking endurance. 3. Individuals who are fit with an AFO will demonstrate improvements in muscle firing profiles/EMG measures. 4. Individuals who are fit with an AFO will demonstrate improvements in quality of life.

Detailed Description: This is a non-randomized, single group (N=15), repeated measures study. The outcome measure for the study include: 1. GAITRite System for step length, 2. EMG of the anterior tibialis, gastrocnemius, soleus, and vastus lateralis muscles, 3. 6 Minute Walk Test (gait endurance) 4. 12-Item MS Walking Scale (Quality of Life assessment). This study will be 24 weeks long. Over the 24-week period, the subject will participate in 14 gait training sessions which will be at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20 and 23. The treatments will be 45-60 minutes in duration. Outcome measures (all or part) will be assessed at the following times: initial (T1), week 5 (T2), week 13 (T3), and week 24 (T4). Subjects will be closely monitored throughout the 24 week study and will be un-enrolled by self-request or the following medical reasons: 1. Acute exacerbation of MS symptoms, 2. New diagnosis with direct consequences affecting gait training, 3. Inability to tolerate the AFO.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Individuals with a primary diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
Individuals who are able to maintain a walking velocity of 30 cm/sec for at least 2 minutes independently or with the use of a single tip assistive device.
Could have current or past history of single or bilateral AFO use, including neuroprostheses
Evidence of weakness in plantarflexors

Exclusion Criteria

The presence of co-morbidities (neuromuscular or musculoskeletal) that would negatively impact gait training
Individuals with BMI with >/= 40kg/m2
Individuals with range of motion deficit in the ankle limiting passive range of motion to neutral dorsiflexion
Individuals that plan to 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
MSNQ of >22

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Application of ankle foot orthosis	Ankle foot orthosis	All participants will receive ankle foot orthosis or orthoses. Outcomes will be compared to pre-bracing findings.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Walking Distance During 6-Minute Walk Test	Assessed at visit 2 (week 1) and week 24	Each participant walks at a self-selected velocity on level surfaces for 6 minutes. They will be allowed to use assistive devices if necessary. They will be asked to rate their level of exertion upon completion of walking on the rate of perceived exertion scale.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Impact of MS on Fatigue Using the 12-Item Walk Scale	Assessed at visit 2 (week 1) and week 24	The 12-Item Walk Scale is a paper and pencil test that asks persons with MS to rate their level of fatigue when doing functional tasks. The maximum possible score is 60 points and the lowest possible score is 12. Higher scores indicate a greater impact on walking than lower scores.
Number of Persons With Change in Muscle Activity Using Surface Electromyography (EMG)	Assessed at visit 2 (week 1) and week 24	Surface EMG is done on key muscles in the lower extremity (quadriceps, anterior tibialis, gastrocnemius, soleus) during computerized gait assessment. Changes in amplitude of muscle activity or timing of muscle activity would indicate, for example, increases in strength or changes in timing of muscles which might indicate motor learning as a result of wearing the ankle foot orthosis.
Change in Step Length Using the GAITRite Computerized Gait Analysis System	Assessed at visit 2 (week 1) and week 24	Participants will be asked to walk on a 12-16 foot long vinyl pad placed on the floor.

Locations (1): UT Southwestern Medical Center School of Health Professions
🇺🇸
Dallas, Texas, United States