A retrospective Japanese study analysed the long-term effects of a standing stimulation programme using KAFO orthoses to support the knees, ankles and feet, applied as soon as ankle dorsiflexion fell below 0° and before loss of walking ability. The study included 41 adolescents and young adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, aged between 15 and 20 years:
- The participants were divided into three groups: 12 boys followed the programme until the age of 15 with at least one session per week (group 1), 20 participants interrupted it before the age of 15 (group 2) and 9 boys did not participate (group 3).
- Participants in group 1 retained walking until a median age of 12.5 years, two and a half years more than in group 2 and three and a half years more than in group 3.
- Scoliosis was less progressive in Group 1 (mean Cobb angle 10°) than in Groups 2 (23°) and 3 (48°).
- Forced vital capacity (FVC) was also better in group 1 (61%) than in groups 2 (36%) and 3 (39%).
