The Effectiveness of Frontal Plane Adaptability in a Novel Foot Prosthesis for People With Above-Knee Amputations, Bilateral Amputations, or Limited Mobility
University of Washington
Summary
People with lower extremity amputation (LEA) have persistent problems with balance, falls, residual limb pain, functional mobility, cognitive attention during gait, and satisfaction with participation in daily activities, despite using prostheses. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to advance understanding of how dynamic foot design features may help people with LEA This study will include people with above-knee amputations, or with bilateral amputations, or with below-knee amputations and lower levels of mobility. The main study questions/goals are: 1a) To determine if frontal plane adaptation in a foot prosthesis impacts performance, comfort, activities of daily living, and community mobility in the study populations. To answer this question, we will compare a locked and unlocked version of the novel prosthesis. 1b) To determine how the unlocked investigational foot condition compares to the person's usual foot using the outcomes listed above. 2\) To examine the participants' lived experience during community activities. The study will use performance tests, questionnaires, logbooks, and interviews to monitor person-centered outcomes and perceptions of personal functioning during the use of the investigational foot (locked and unlocked) compared to the person's usual foot.
Description
The study design is a randomized cross-over clinical trial design (B1 and B2 phases) comparing a carbon fiber foot that includes a functional, unlocked frontal plane adaptable linkage compared to the same foot with the linkage locked to prevent frontal plane motion. With the linkage locked, the foot is comparable to energy storage and return of a carbon fiber foot. The secondary aim for this clinical trial compares the unlocked foot to the participant's usual foot (A1 and A2 phases), representative of the usual standard of care. The testing will be conducted following an A1-B1-B2-A2 design. T…