Author ORCID Identifier
Stergiou - https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9737-9939
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-11-2017
Abstract
Balance during walking is of high importance to prosthesis users and may affect walking during baseline observation and evaluation. The aim of this study was to determine whether changes in walking balance occurred during an adaptation period following the fitting of a new prosthetic component.
Margin of stability in the medial-lateral direction (MOSML) and an anterior instability margin (AIM) were used to quantify the dynamic balance of 21 unilateral transtibial amputees during overground walking. Participants trialled two prosthetic feet presenting contrasting movement/balance constraints; a Higher Activity foot similar to that of their own prosthesis, and a Lower Activity foot. Participants were assessed before (Visit 1) and after (Visit 2) a 3-week adaptation period on each foot.
With the Higher Activity component, MOSML decreased on the prosthetic side, and increased on the sound side from Visit 1 to Visit 2, eliminating a significant inter-limb difference apparent at Visit 1 (Visit 1–sound = 0.062 m, prosthetic = 0.075 m, p = 0.018; Visit 2–sound = 0.066 m, prosthetic = 0.074 m, p = 0.084). No such change was seen with the Lower Activity foot (Visit 1–sound = 0.064 m, prosthetic = 0.077 m, p = 0.007; Visit 2–sound = 0.063 m, prosthetic = 0.080 m, p < 0.001). Significant changes in AIM were observed at Visit 2 (Visit 1: −0.16 (0.08) m, Visit 2: −0.17 (0.08) m; F = 23.396, p < 0.01).
These findings suggest that changes in balance during walking can occur following the initial receipt of a device regardless of whether the component is of the same functional category as the one an individual is accustomed to using.
Journal Title
Gait & Posture
Volume
58
First Page
23
Last Page
29
Recommended Citation
Kent, J.A., Stergiou, N., & Wurdeman, S.R. (July 11, 2017). Dynamic balance changes within three weeks of fitting a new prosthetic foot component. Gait & Posture, 58, 23-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.07.003
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Comments
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Elsevier in [Gait & Posture on July 11, 2017, available online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.07.003