Study design
orthosis, AFO
We conducted a single centre, randomized crossover trial from January to July 2017. Two types of orthoses were evaluated: a posterior leaf spring AFO (plsAFO) and the specifically designed, helical AFO (hAFO). Participants were randomised to wear one of the orthoses in their usual environment for 1 week and the other orthosis for the following week. Randomisation of the order of the orthoses (plsAFO first or hAFO first) was performed using a computer-generated list created by the study clinical research organisation (4-block randomisation). Two doctors enrolled consecutive participants and performed the group allocation. The evaluations were performed in the same order. Neither the participants nor the evaluators were blinded to the condition.The study schedule is shown in Fig. Flow chart of study schedule