目的：中風患者常因痙攣性垂足與代償步態導致行走功能受限，進而增加跌倒風險。儘管傳統前置式足踝矯具 (Anterior Ankle-Foot Orthosis, AAFO) 能改善步態，但在耐用性與功能性上仍有不足。本研究旨在比較新式後置式碳纖維足踝矯具 (Carbon AFO) 與傳統AAFO 對中風患者行走功能的矯正效果，並探討新式矯具在步態週期中的潛在優勢。 方法：本前驅試驗採用組內隨機設計，招募 9 名符合條件的左側偏癱中風患者。使用 3D 動作分析系統，測量受試者在三種條件下的步態表現：未穿戴矯具、穿戴傳統 AAFO、以及穿戴新式 Carbon AFO。主要分析指標為踝關節在擺盪期 (swing phase) 的角度變化，以評估兩種矯具對痙攣性垂足現象的矯正效果。結果：統計分析顯示，相較於未穿戴矯具，穿戴傳統 AAFO 和新式 Carbon AFO 均能顯著改善中風患者在擺盪期的痙攣性垂足問題，有效提升踝關節背屈角度。此外，新式 Carbon AFO 在改善痙攣性垂足與步態方面，表現出優於傳統 AAFO 的潛力。結論：新式 Carbon AFO 憑藉其材料的優越耐用性與降低壓迫風險的設計，在矯正中風患者痙攣性垂足及改善步態方面，展現出優於傳統 AAFO 的潛力。未來研究應進一步探討其動力學表現，並評估其長期使用的臨床效益。

Purpose: Stroke patients often experience limited walking function due to spastic drop foot and compensatory gaits, which increase their risk of falling. While traditional ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) can improve gait, they often have limitations in durability and functional performance. This study aims to compare the corrective effects of a new posterior carbon

fiber AFO (Carbon AFO) with a traditional anterior thermoplastic AFO (AAFO) on the walking function of stroke patients. It also explores the potential advantages of the new orthosis during the gait cycle. Methods: This pilot study utilized a within-subject randomized design. Nine eligible stroke patients with left-sided hemiplegia were participated in this study. A 3D motion analysis system was used to measure each participant’s gait performance under three different conditions: (1) without any orthosis, (2) with a traditional AAFO, and (3) with a new Carbon AFO. The primary parameter was the ankle joint angles during the swing phase to assess the corrective effects of both orthoses on spastic drop foot. Results: Statistical analysis showed that compared to walking without an orthosis, wearing either a traditional AAFO or a new Carbon AFO significantly improved spastic drop foot issues in stroke patients during the swing phase, effectively increasing the ankle’s dorsiflexion angle. Furthermore, the new Carbon AFO demonstrated superior potential over the traditional AAFO in correcting spastic drop foot and improving overall gait. Conclusion: The new Carbon AFO, with its superior material durability and pressure-reducing design, shows greater potential than the traditional AAFO for correcting spastic drop foot and improving gait in stroke patients. Future research should further explore its kinetic performance and evaluate its long-term clinical benefits to fully understand its impact.