Objective To evaluate the efficiency of a new elastic strap orthosis in improving the motor functionand waling ability of stroke patients.Methods Twenty-eight stroke patients with hemiplegia were divided randomly into a control groupand an elastic group. The patients in the control group accepted normal training without orthosis for8weeks; while the patients of the treatment group accepted the same training with the assistance ofthe orthosis. Before the treatment, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks, the assessment were performedby the same therapist including the Fugl-Meyer scores (FMA), PCI (physical consume index), thetemporal spatial parameters of gait such as walking speed for 10m (at cosy speed and volant speed,separately), cadence, step length, toe out angle and stride width.Results After 4 weeks, the temporal spatial parameters of gait such as walking speed for 10m (atcosy speed and volant speed, separately), step length, cadence improved significantly in the twogroups (all P <0.01); whereas stride width and PCI decreased significantly in the two groups (allP <0.01). The treatment group improved significantly more than the control group with regard towalking speed for 10m (at cosy speed and volant speed, separately), step length (P =0.0298, 0.0225,0.025); while tride width and PCI decreased significantly more than the control group (P =0.001,0.026). There had no significant differences in scores of FMA, cadence and toe out between the twogroups.After 8 weeks, walking speed for 10m (at cosy speed and volant speed, separately), step length,cadence, scores of FMA improved significantly; stride width and PCI decreased significantly inthe two groups (all P <0.01). There had no significant difference of toe out in the two groups. Thetreatment group improved significantly more than the control group in walking speed for 10m (atcosy speed and volant speed, separately), step length, cadence, scores of FMA (P =0.042, 0.015,0.024, 0.024, 0.038); and decreased significantly in stride width and PCI (all P <0.01). Toe out anglehad no significant difference between the two groups.Conclusion The elastic suspension strap orthosis could help correct abnormal gait patterns,improve the temporal spatial parameters of gait, and decrease the energy expenditure in strokepatients.
