The long-term effects of wearing an Ankle Foot Orthosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The long-term effects of wearing an Ankle Foot Orthosis: the experiences of stroke survivors
IRAS ID
164019
Contact name
A Taylor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Stirling
Research summary
This study aims to explore the experiences of stroke survivors on the long-term effects of wearing and using an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). An AFO is a device worn on the lower leg to provide direct control of the motion and alignment of the ankle and foot.
Currently, there is little evidence available and a small clinical audit carried out by one of the research team highlighted that stroke survivors are experiencing long term problems with standing, transferring or mobilising especially when not wearing or using their AFO.
We therefore aim to develop and send a short questionnaire to 100 stroke survivors to gather a range of views on wearing and using an AFO, with a follow-up telephone interview used with a sub-sample of participants (approximately 20) to explore their experiences of wearing and using an AFO in more depth.
To establish our study population the Primary Care Local Enhanced Service database will be searched for stroke survivors discharged from hospitals across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) in the last 1 to 5 years. The sample identified will then be cross referenced against the NHSGGC Orthotic Database to identify all stroke survivors prescribed an AFO in the same time frame.
A random sample of 500 stroke survivors will be lettered by a member of the orthotic team about the study and invited to participate. From the letter response rate (approx. 125-150) a sample of 100 stroke survivors will be contacted and asked to participate in the study and sent the questionnaire. As there are limitations with using questionnaires, a sub sample of stroke survivors (n=20) who have agreed to be contacted will be sampled and invited to participate in a telephone interview. This interview will explore the questionnaire responses in more detail and in the context of their own experiences.REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/1139
Date of REC Opinion
1 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion