Effect of Brunnstrom Technique Combined with Ankle-Foot Orthosis on Balance Function and Gait in Patients with Hemiplegia After Cerebral Infarction

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-5775.2025.18.005

Abstract：Objective: To explore the effect of Brunnstrom technique combined with ankle-foot orthosis on balance function and gait in patients with hemiplegia after cerebral infarction. Methods: A total of 75 patients with hemiplegia after cerebral infarction admitted to the Central Hospital of Zhumadian City from June 2021 to June 2023 were selected as the study subjects and randomly divided into a control group (n=37) and an observation group (n=38) according to the random number table method. The control group received Brunnstrom technique treatment, while the observation group received additional ankle-foot orthosis treatment on the basis of the control group. Both groups received continuous treatment for 3 months. The gait parameters, motor function, modified Barthel index (MBI) score, Brunnstrom score, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score, and quality of life were compared before and after treatment between the two groups. Results: After treatment, the gait parameters of the observation group were better than those of the control group, with statistically significant differences (t=3.275, 4.509, 5.236, 5.780, P<0.05). After treatment, compared with the control group, the observation group had a faster 10m maximum walking speed, higher FMA score, and lower physiological energy expenditure, with statistically significant differences (t=4.210, 2.931, 3.667, P<0.05). After treatment, compared with the control group, the observation group had higher MBI score, Brunnstrom score, and BBS score, with statistically significant differences (t=3.894, 7.423, 5.560, P<0.001). After treatment, compared with the control group, the observation group had higher scores in all aspects of quality of life, with statistically significant differences (t=7.020, 15.575, 12.475, 12.133, P<0.001). No adverse events such as skin injury, itching, erythema, joint stiffness, or pain occurred in either group during treatment. Conclusion: The application of Brunnstrom technique combined with ankle-foot orthosis in patients with hemiplegia after cerebral infarction shows good therapeutic effects, which can effectively improve balance function, adjust gait, enhance quality of life, and improve prognosis.