The effects on gait of AFO use in people with ankle osteoarthritis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An observational study of the effects on gait of AFO use in people with ankle osteoarthritis - including gait analysis and the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis analysis of gait quality
IRAS ID
203454
Contact name
Philip Rowe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Strathclyde
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
The aim of this observational study is to assess the benefits of treating ankle osteoarthritis patients with ankle-foot orthoses. This will be assessed primarily by using clinical gait analysis to calculate typical gait parameters and using the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis (UCM) to look at gait variability. The UCM is a novel approach to assessing the quality of gait produced by patients with ankle osteoarthritis, quantifying as it does, if the patient's movement patterns while walking keep them balanced enough to maintain a normal walking pattern.
Currently ankle-foot orthoses are prescribed daily in clinical practice but there is limited evidence as to the effect these have on patients walking patterns. Gait parameters will be measured at baseline and after 6 weeks of wearing the orthotic. Comparisons will be made between ankle osteoarthritis patients pre-AFO and post-AFO, as well as between the ankle osteoarthritis group and the healthy control group.
The data will then be used to design a randomised controlled trial assessing ankle-foot orthoses, as well as using the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis as an assessment tool, should the initial cohort studies indicate a possible treatment effect.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
16/WS/0087
Date of REC Opinion
13 May 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion