A recently published study in the Journal of Biosciences and Medicines has concluded that orthoses may help to improve the gait and balance of patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Orthoses are medical devices such as braces that support joints to help movement. The original study can be found here, at the website Scirp.
About Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, also known as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, is to a group of conditions that cause damage to peripheral nerves. These nerves are involved in controlling muscles and sending information about the senses (such as touch) to the brain. CMT occurs as the result of an alteration to one of the genes needed for the development of peripheral nerves. People who inherit CMT may experience a range of symptoms, including muscle weakness (especially in the hands, feet, ankles, and legs), feet with a very high or low arch, numbness in feet, arms, or hands, and an unusual gait (a form of walking). These symptoms can progress with age, however, treatments such as physiotherapy and walking aids may help to relieve the symptoms of CMT.
The Study Design
Researchers investigated the role of orthoses as a treatment for CMT in a meta-analysis. In total, they reviewed 412 scientific papers related to the topic. The researchers looked at the effectiveness of orthotics in CMT, the impact of orthosis on gait and balance, and patients’ compliance with orthotics.
The Study Results
The first element the researchers looked into, the effectiveness of orthotics in CMT, produced mixed results. Several studies showed improvement in patients that used orthotics, including changes to the gait that reduced the amount patients tripped. In addition, one study showed that the majority of patients were satisfied with their orthoses. However, not all studies showed improvement.
The second feature the researchers examined was the impact of orthosis on gait and balance. One study showed that plastic ankle-foot orthoses were linked to an improved gait and posture control compared to ordinary shoes. Overall, the authors conclude that ankle-foot orthoses can help people with CMT to reduce foot drop and some compensatory movements when they walk.
The final question related to patient compliance. The researchers found that patients are not always compliant with recommendations to use orthotics. In one study by Vinci et al, it was found that out of 25 patients who were advised to use orthotics only five did so, and of these five, three patients “hated” them. However, the study says that patients may be more likely to comply if their doctors discuss the reasons for using the orthotics with them more thoroughly.
Overall, the study suggests that orthoses may be able to improve the gait and balance of patients with CMT, which may impact patients’ quality of life.
