The Effect of Ankle-Foot Orthoses on Balance Impairment: Single-Case Study

Instability and balance impairment is common in patients with diabetic sensory neuropathy placing them at a higher risk of falling when performing more challenging daily tasks. The report describes the results of a dynamic balance tests of a subject with neuropathy due to the long-standing diabetes. The Computerized Dynamic Posturography was performed with and without ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs). The apparatus provided six test conditions designed to systematically manipulate vestibular, somatosensory, or visual information. With no orthoses the patient had falls performing most of the tests. Bilateral orthoses improved his balance: a derived composite balance score increased four times. In view of these findings, AFOs, in addition to correcting the patient's foot placement during locomotion, could also be expected to improve the maintenance of balance during quiet stance or dynamic perturbation.