Design and Evaluation of Hybrid Passive Spring Damper Ankle Foot Orthosis for Gait Performance in Drop Foot Patients: A Feasibility Study.

Passive and hybrid passive Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are the prevalent prescription in drop foot patients to prevent toe dragging during the swing phase. While, these AFOs have some limitations like inability to overcome foot slap, limitation in forward propulsion and inappropriate power generate at the push off. The aim of this study was to design a novel spring damper and evaluate the immediate effects of this AFO on improving the ankle kinetic and kinematic in drop foot patients. This AFO was generated from carbon composite frame and foot section with posterior hinge and spring damper actuator that controlled plantar flexion resistance at the early stance, freely dorsi flexion movement with the ability to store energy during mid-stance movement as well as restore this energy at the pre swing phase. This AFO was assessed on ten drop foot patients who used Posterior Leaf Spring AFO conditions and walked at their self-comfortable walking speed. Then the ankle kinetic and kinematic data in two conditions of with PLS (Posterior Leaf Spring) AFO, and novel spring damper AFO were assessed. Results showed a significant improve in the immediate effect of the kinetic and kinematic parameters. In conclusion, spring damper AFO improved all ankle angles in entire gait cycle as well as the ankle moments and power. Therefore, this AFO should be consider as a selective AFO in drop foot patients.

Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Evaluation of the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index in Persian-Speaking Iranians With Foot Disorders.

Foot pain has a significantly detrimental effect on mobility, function, and health status. Researchers have developed a number of measurement tools to assess foot health and its impact on quality of life. This study was conducted to translate the original English Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index (MFPDI) into Persian and to examine the psychometric properties of the Persian version. A total of 206 patients with a range of foot disorders filled out the Persian version of the MFPDI and the Short-Form 36 Health Survey. The Persian version of the MFPDI was re-completed by the participants at an interval of 5 to 7 days. The analyses performed included internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and floor and ceiling effect analysis. The Persian MFPDI had a good internal consistency (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.70) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.84). The construct validity of the Persian MFPDI was demonstrated to be acceptable as a result of its significantly strong negative correlations with the Short-Form 36 Health Survey. The results of this study showed that the Persian version of the MFPDI is a valid and reliable measure to assess foot-related disability.

The translation, cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index in Persian-speaking Iranians with foot disorder.

BACKGROUND: Foot pain has a significantly detrimental effect on mobility, function and health status. Researchers have developed a number of measurement tools to assess foot health and its impact on the quality of life. This study was conducted to translate the original English Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index (MFPDI) into Persian and to examine the psychometric properties of the Persian version. METHODS: A total of 206 patients with a range of foot disorders filled out the Persian version of the MFPDI and the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). The Persian version of the MFPDI was re-completed by the participants at an interval of five to seven days. The analyses performed included internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and floor and ceiling effect analysis. RESULTS: The Persian MFPDI had a good internal consistency (Cronbach's α≥0.70) and test-retest reliability (ICC=0.84). The construct validity of the Persian MFPDI was demonstrated to be acceptable as a result of its significantly strong negative correlations with the SF-36. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the Persian version of the MFPDI is a valid and reliable measure to assess foot-related disability.