Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: January 12, 2019
Effects of AFO use on walking in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a pilot study
Elise L Townsend1, Himani Tamhane, K Douglas Gross
1Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitations Sciences (Drs Townsend and Gross), MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts; Massachusetts General Hospital (Dr Townsend), Boston, Massachusetts; Boston University School of Medicine (Dr Gross), Boston, Massachusetts; Health East Medical Center (Dr Tamhane), Englewood, New Jersey.
Purpose:
Although bracing in the late ambulatory stage of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has been described, the effects of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) in earlier stages have not been evaluated. The aim of this pilot study was to describe the effects of dynamic response AFO (DR-AFO) use in boys with DMD who are ambulatory.
Methods:
Using a crossover design, 3 boys were randomly assigned to either a 2-week DR-AFO or a placebo intervention. Phases were separated by a 1-week washout period. Primary outcomes were time to walk 10 m and a 6-Minute Walk Test.
Results:
With DR-AFO use, declines in 10-m walk time (median decline = 0.8 s) and 6-Minute Walk Distance (median = 25.0 m) occurred. Parental report suggested that the use of DR-AFOs increased falls in 2 of 3 participants.
Conclusion:
This pilot study does not support the use of DR-AFOs by boys with DMD who are ambulatory.
