Effect of long-term use of ankle-foot orthoses on tibialis anterior muscle electromyography in patients with sub-acute stroke: A randomized controlled trial

I would disagree with the conclusion. Long term use of an AFO will affect your muscle recovering its intended function.  Use it or lose it as your doctor will tell you. 

Peter Levine does a much better explanation of prolonged AFO use;

AFO after stroke: Once its on there, its on there for life.

But you can't listen to anyone but your doctor. 

The latest here:

Effect of long-term use of ankle-foot orthoses on tibialis anterior muscle electromyography in patients with sub-acute stroke: A randomized controlled trial

Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine (formerly the Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine) , Volume 51(1) , Pgs. 11-17.

NARIC Accession Number: J81525.  What's this?
ISSN: 1650-1977.
Author(s): Nikamp, Corien; Buurke, Jaap; Schaake, Leendert; van der Palen, Job; Rietman, Johan; Hermens, Hermie.
Publication Year: 2019.
Number of Pages: 7.
Abstract: Study examined the effects of long-term use of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) after stroke and whether early or later provision of AFOs affects muscle activity. Twenty-six subjects with unilateral hemiparetic stroke were assigned randomly to either early (at inclusion; week 1) or delayed (8 weeks later; week 9) provision of AFOs. Tibialis anterior electromyography was measured with and without AFOS in weeks 1, 9, 17 and 26. In a single measurement, use of an AFO significantly reduced the activity levels of the tibialis anterior muscle during the swing phase compared with walking without an AFO. During the 26-week follow-up, no changes were found in tibialis anterior muscle activity in the swing phase without an AFO, both within-groups and between-groups. After 26 weeks, no differences were found in tibialis anterior muscle activity between both groups in the swing phase, with or without AFOs. This study found that AFO use reduced muscle activity levels compared with walking without an AFO within 1 measurement. However, long-term use of an AFO for a period of 26 weeks did not affect muscle activity. Early or delayed provision of ankle-foot orthoses did not affect the findings. This study did not find any negative effects on activity of the tibialis anterior muscle with long-term use of an AFO early after stroke. The results indicate that there is no need to fear negative consequences on tibialis anterior-activity because of long-term AFO-use (early) after stroke.
Descriptor Terms: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, EARLY INTERVENTION, ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, LIMBS, MUSCLES, ORTHOTICS, OUTCOMES, STROKE.


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Get this Document: https://www.medicaljournals.se/jrm/content/abstract/10.2340/16501977-2498.

Citation: Nikamp, Corien, Buurke, Jaap, Schaake, Leendert, van der Palen, Job, Rietman, Johan, Hermens, Hermie. (2019). Effect of long-term use of ankle-foot orthoses on tibialis anterior muscle electromyography in patients with sub-acute stroke: A randomized controlled trial.  Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine (formerly the Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine) , 51(1), Pgs. 11-17. Retrieved 9/17/2019, from REHABDATA database.