Article

The objective of this study was to develop guidelines for the prescription of ankle-foot, knee, wrist-hand and elbow orthoses for patients with neurological disorders. The study is part of a more comprehensive study focusing on the development of clinical guidelines for the prescription of these orthoses in a wider patient population. Evidence from literature (reviews, randomized controlled trials with good quality), information from literature with a lower degree of evidence and information from structured interviews with experts in the field of orthotics, form the basis of statements presented in a Delphi procedure. The Delphi technique was used to gain consensus on statements published on the Internet. A group of experts in the field of orthotics and neurological disorders was asked to give their opinion on 41 statements. Statements with a general agreement of at least 75% were accepted. Statements with less general agreement were rewritten and the experts could react in a second and possibly in a third round. Afterwards, an opinion-based workshop was organized in which participants could react on preliminary guidelines and on Delphi-statements with between 65% and 75% agreement. Consensus on 32 statements was gained during the three rounds and the opinion-based workshop. These statements form the basis of the consensus based clinical guidelines for the prescription of orthoses in patients with neurological disorders.

Langue : ANGLAIS