Impact of Foot Splint and Exercises on Foot Drop among Ischemic Stroke Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Clinical Instructor In Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Egypt

2 Professor of Neurological Disease, Faculty of Medicine , Assiut University, Egypt

3 Assistant professor of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Foot drop after stroke is a common lower extremity motor dysfunction. Physical exercise and foot drop splints were effective in improving walking performance in stroke patients affected by foot drop. Aim: To evaluate the impact of application of foot splint and exercises on foot drop among ischemic stroke patients. Research design: A quasi-experimental (study and control) research design was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted in neurological department at Assiut University Hospitals. Sample: (80) adult patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke. Tools: Tool (I): Patient's assessment sheet, Tool (II): Ankle and foot assessment which included Foot and ankle disability index (FADI) and muscle strength assessment. Results: mean age in control group was (60.52± 6.02) years old and study group was (58.30± 9.14) years old, more than half of patient were male (57.5 % , 65.0% ) respectively and affected with left side hemiplegia (57.5% , 55.0%) respectively in both control and study group. Achilles tendon score , muscle strength was improved and level of disability on FADI was decreased after applying foot splint and exercises. Conclusion: There was a statistically significance difference between study and control group patients regarding ankle and foot assessment after application of both splint and foot drop exercises. Recommendation: Stroke patient should engage in rehabilitation exercise for foot and ankle and apply foot drop splint to decrease disability associated with foot drop.

Keywords

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics