Article
Neurosciences
N. F. J. Waterval, M. A. Brehm, J. Harlaar, F. Nollet
Summary: Individuals with unilateral plantar flexor weakness exhibit higher impact forces on the contralateral leg compared to healthy subjects. Energy cost optimized dorsiflexion leaf AFOs can significantly reduce this force and improve impact symmetry in individuals with unilateral plantar flexor weakness.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Hasan Kemal Surmen, Yunus Ziya Arslan
Summary: Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are commonly used to improve gait function in children with neurological conditions. Plastic material deformation in AFOs, particularly at the lateral and medial ankle parts, can limit ankle joint stabilization. Novel trimming approaches on the dorsal side were found to decrease peak stress values, with the vertical elliptic trimline being the most effective.
ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL-JESTECH
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Julio S. Lora-Millan, Mahdi Nabipour, Edwin van Asseldonk, Cristina Bayon
Summary: Assistive ankle-foot orthoses (AAFOs) are powerful solutions for gait assistance or rehabilitation. This research analyzes the latest AAFO technologies and categorizes the different approaches into clusters based on their basis and working principles. It also reviews the purpose and experimental validation of the devices, providing insights into their technology readiness level. The reviewed designs, limitations, and future directions in this field are summarized and discussed.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Congcong Zhou, Zhao Yang, Kaitai Li, Xuesong Ye
Summary: This article reviews the development of ankle-foot orthoses and highlights the research directions of semi-active and active orthoses, as well as the integration with rehabilitation technologies such as monitoring and myoelectric stimulation.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Alireza Nouri, Lijing Wang, Yuncang Li, Cuie Wen
Summary: Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are used to correct ankle and foot deformities, improve mobility, reduce pain, and provide protection for patients with gait impairment. They can effectively manage various types of gait pathologies. AFOs can be prefabricated or custom-made with different designs, and the selection criteria include usage duration, applied force, axial loading, skin condition, and cost. The availability of diverse materials has greatly improved orthoses, and understanding these materials can lead to more advanced and efficient AFOs.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ratnesh Raj, Amit Rai Dixit, Krzysztof Lukaszewski, Radoslaw Wichniarek, Justyna Rybarczyk, Wieslaw Kuczko, Filip Gorski
Summary: The study focuses on the optimization and strength analysis of FDM 3D-printed ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) made of PLA and carbon fiber reinforced PLA (PLA-C). The PLA-C-based AFOs are stiffer and can withstand greater loads compared to the PLA-based AFOs. The models predicted by finite element analysis (FEA) were validated by experimental tests, showing consistent high stress areas and fracture points.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joyce Zhanzi Wang, Jonathon Lillia, Muhannad Farhan, Lei Bi, Jinman Kim, Joshua Burns, Tegan L. Cheng
Summary: This study analyzed the manual modification process of AFOs, aiming to inform digital workflows for AFO fabrication. Participant-specific modifications were found to be combined with universally applied modifications, with height having a moderate effect on plaster additions. The study demonstrated a reliable method for mapping and comparing pre- and post-modified casts for children's AFO fabrication.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Robotics
Benjamin DeBoer, Ali Hosseini, Carlos Rossa
Summary: This study presents a new and power-efficient actuator for an active ankle-foot orthosis (AAFO). The actuator utilizes a discrete non-linear stiffness principle by compressing multiple linear springs at specified displacement intervals to reduce the peak mechanical power required for actuation. Through multi-objective optimization, the link lengths and spring stiffnesses are selected to minimize the input power and size. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of the actuator model and simulations.
IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Carl P. C. Chen, Areerat Suputtitada, Watchara Chatkungwanson, Kittikorn Seehaboot
Summary: This study compared the efficacy of AAFOs and PAFOs in treating ankle spasticity. The results showed that AAFOs were more effective in reducing both static and dynamic ankle spasticity, and allowed for faster walking compared to PAFOs.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rui Silva, Antonio Veloso, Nuno Alves, Cristiana Fernandes, Pedro Morouco
Summary: This review investigates the state-of-art of using additive manufacturing (AM) for ankle-foot orthoses (AFO). The evaluation of manufacturing processes, customization steps, mechanical properties, and biomechanical features in humans provides significant insights for further research. The study finds that AM-printed AFO is comparable or superior to thermoplastic vacuum forming AFO in mechanical tests, kinematics, kinetics, and participant feedback.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Adrienne Henderson, Thomas Hulcher, Corey Koller, Dustin Bruening, Elisa Arch
Summary: The study found that using deformable carbon fiber foot orthoses increased positive distal foot work while decreasing ankle work, with little change in overall ankle-foot complex work. It also led to significant increases in step length, stance time, and max anterior COP position.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Y. L. Kerkum, W. Philippart, H. Houdijk
Summary: This study found that footplate stiffness of ankle-foot orthosis significantly affects ankle joint push-off power, with rigid footplate increasing ankle joint power. The proper footplate stiffness can optimize the efficacy of ankle-foot orthosis.
CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Luca Lonini, Nicholas Shawen, Shenan Hoppe-Ludwig, Susan Deems-Dluhy, Chaithanya K. Mummidisetty, Yochai Eisenberg, Arun Jayaraman
Summary: The study found that while the new KAFO generally improved performance in clinical tests, some participants wore the new device less often. Results showed that there was poor correlation between traditional clinical outcome measures and changes in community mobility.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Riccardo Zuccarino, Kirsten M. Anderson, Michael E. Shy, Jason M. Wilken
Summary: The study found that over one-third of individuals with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease were dissatisfied with the appearance, comfort, and pain associated with ankle foot orthoses. However, their ratings of orthotic services were generally positive. This indicates that there is still room for improvement in AFO development.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Deema Totah, Meghna Menon, Deanna H. Gates, Kira Barton
Summary: Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are braces worn to support ankle motion, with rotational stiffness being a key mechanical property that affects gait biomechanics. The AFO Stiffness Measurement Apparatus (SMApp) was designed to measure torque and angle as an AFO moves through a range of motion, providing high reliability for all measured AFO properties. The SMApp can be used for AFO material fatigue testing, validating finite element models, and evaluating speed effects on AFO properties in future studies.
Article
Rehabilitation
Merel-Anne Brehm, Hilde E. Ploeger, Frans Nollet
Summary: The simplified 3-level self-reported ambulation classification by Perry is a clinically meaningful tool for polio survivors, as it consistently corresponds to differences in objective and self-reported indicators of physical mobility. Categories of household walkers, limited community walkers, and full community walkers showed significant differences in walked distance, energy cost, SF36-PF, and FSS scores, with walked distance and SF36-PF score significantly associated with functional ambulation level.
ANNALS OF PHYSICAL AND REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
N. F. J. Waterval, K. Veerkamp, T. Geijtenbeek, J. Harlaar, F. Nollet, M. A. Brehm, M. M. van der Krogt
Summary: The study validated a predictive simulation framework for walking with bilateral plantarflexor weakness and showed a quadratic relationship between plantarflexor strength and walking energy cost and speed. The simulations indicated that pathological gait features emerge especially when bilateral plantarflexor weakness exceeds 60%.
Article
Neurosciences
N. F. J. Waterval, M. A. Brehm, J. Harlaar, F. Nollet
Summary: Individuals with unilateral plantar flexor weakness exhibit higher impact forces on the contralateral leg compared to healthy subjects. Energy cost optimized dorsiflexion leaf AFOs can significantly reduce this force and improve impact symmetry in individuals with unilateral plantar flexor weakness.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
T. A. M. Oud, E. Lazzari, H. J. H. Gijsbers, M. Gobbo, F. Nollet, M. A. Brehm
Summary: The current literature on the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses for traumatic and chronic hand conditions consists of primarily small and poor quality studies. Well-designed controlled trials are needed, including patient-related outcomes, production time, and cost analyses.
Article
Rehabilitation
Jana Tuijtelaars, Martine Jeukens-Visser, Frans Nollet, Merel-Anne Brehm
Summary: This study explored factors associated with walking adaptability and found that leg muscle weakness and reduced balance confidence are limiting factors for walking adaptability in polio survivors. The study also revealed that target-stepping performance is related to falling. These findings are important for fall prevention in polio survivors.
ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
N. F. J. Waterval, V. L. Meekes, M. T. Hooijmans, M. Froeling, R. T. Jaspers, J. Oudeman, A. J. Nederveen, M. A. Brehm, F. Nollet
Summary: This study investigated the changes in plantar flexor function during walking in individuals with neuromuscular diseases using diffusion tensor imaging and T2 imaging. The results showed a correlation between T2 relaxation time and plantar flexor strength, ankle moment, and power, while fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity were only related to plantar flexor strength.
CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Jana Tuijtelaars, Merel-Anne Brehm, Frans Nollet, Melvyn Roerdink
Summary: This study demonstrated the validity and reproducibility of the C-Mill walking-adaptability assessment in polio survivors. Adding walking-adaptability assessment, particularly the more challenging tests, to currently used clinical tests could improve fall-risk evaluation in this population.
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Niels F. J. Waterval, Merel-Anne Brehm
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elza van Duijnhoven, Fieke S. Koopman, Hilde E. Ploeger, Frans Nollet, Merel-Anne Brehm
Summary: This study found that specialized care orthoses provided better treatment outcomes compared to usual care orthoses for adults with NMD. Guideline-based orthotic care within a multidisciplinary expertise setting could improve goal attainment and walking ability.
Review
Rehabilitation
Sander Oorschot, Merel-Anne Brehm, Joost Daams, Frans Nollet, Eric Lucas Voorn
Summary: This study summarized the evidence on the efficacy of aerobic exercise on aerobic capacity in slowly progressive neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). The findings showed that aerobic exercise can improve aerobic capacity directly post-intervention, but the long-term efficacy remains unclear.
ANNALS OF PHYSICAL AND REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Laura M. M. Oudenhoven, Marjolein M. M. Van Der Krogt, Sanne Ettema, Karin Roeleveld, Merel A. A. Brehm, Annemieke I. I. Buizer
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fatigue on kinematics, kinetics, and energy cost of walking in children with cerebral palsy. The results showed that kinematic deviations occurred in children with cerebral palsy during prolonged walking, while kinetics and energy cost of walking did not significantly change. Therefore, an individualized approach is recommended to study the effects of physical fatigue on gait in clinical practice.
DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
N. F. J. Waterval, M. A. Brehm, K. Veerkamp, T. Geijtenbeek, J. Harlaar, F. Nollet, M. M. van der Krogt
Summary: In order to maximize the effects of dorsal leaf ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) on gait in people with bilateral plantarflexor weakness, the AFO properties should be matched to the individual. This study investigated the interaction of AFO bending stiffness with neutral angle and footplate stiffness on gait function. The results showed that higher AFO bending stiffness and dorsiflexion of the neutral angle minimized energy cost of walking and normalized joint kinematics and kinetics.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Jana Tuijtelaars, Max Keller, Frans Nollet, Merel-Anne Brehm, Jaap van Dieen, Melvyn Roerdink
Summary: This study investigated the fatigue experienced by polio survivors during 6-min walking and how it influenced their normal and adaptive walking. The results showed that leg-muscle activation declined over time during adaptive walking and cardiorespiratory fatigue increased during all tests, especially in polio survivors. Furthermore, walking adaptability was further degraded by cardiorespiratory fatigue during narrow-beam walking in polio survivors. These findings suggest that fatigue might increase the risk of falls among polio survivors.
JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Rehabilitation
Bart Raijmakers, Roelofine A. Berendsen-De Gooijer, Hilde E. Ploeger, Fieke S. Koopman, Frans Nollet, Merel-Anne Brehm
Summary: This study investigated the use of custom-made knee-ankle-foot orthoses in daily life and the differences in usability factors between users and discontinued users among polio survivors. The majority of survivors used their knee-ankle-foot orthoses in daily life. Factors related to continued use include walking ability without orthosis, expectations of the orthosis, previous orthosis experience, and type of knee-ankle-foot orthosis provided.
JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2022)