Reliability and Validity of Continuous Inter-Limb Stability in Veterans With Lower Limb Loss
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
To date, there is no valid and reliable measure of continuous inter-limb stability available to healthcare teams treating people with lower limb loss. Determining these characteristics of this parameter for this population is important because superior stability has been linked to increased physical activity and strength in similar populations, making it a potential vital contributor to mobility improvement of Veterans with limb loss. It is also crucial that healthcare providers can easily measure continuous stability in the clinic instead of relying on expensive laboratory equipment. The overall goals of this study are to determine the reliability and validity of continuous inter-limb stability of Veterans with lower limb loss and determine if this parameter can be captured using accessible wearable technology. Consequently, clinicians can improve continuous stability through proper rehabilitation to positively impact the functional mobility and overall quality of life of Veterans with lower limb loss.
Description
There is currently no valid or reliable biomechanical variable available to objectively measure the continuous stability of Veterans with lower limb loss. However, continuous inter-limb stability represents a potential target to improve whole-body dynamics, as it is an important measure of functional mobility in individuals with lower limb loss. Determining the reliability and validity of this measure is critical for limb loss care teams since these features are fundamental to interpretability and assessment of this parameter. Unlike traditional clinical assessments of stability that focus on…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * any individual with unilateral transtibial limb loss * a well-fitting prosthesis (as determined by a board-certified prosthetist through standardized prosthetic guidelines) for a minimum of one month * able to achieve a "Level 6 - Modified Independence" score on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) for 2 mobility items (locomotion and transfers) Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals with active wounds/ulcers or significant musculoskeletal comorbidities on their intact limb that would impair ability to participate in biomechanical evaluations * any comorbidity that res…
Interventions
- Other3D motion capture, wearable devices, and functional outcome measures
Gait evaluation, Hill and Stair Assessment Indices, 6 minute walk test, AMPPro, Timed Up and Go
Location
- VA NY Harbor Healthcare System, New York, NYNew York, New York