Improved Training Program for Fall Prevention of Warfighters w ith Lower Extremity Trauma
Abstract
In the current military and healthcare environment, it is essential to focus on rapid but safe development of functional skillswith a goal of early discharge from rehabilitation to return to active duty or civilian life. Although the U.S. military has accessto state-of-the-art treatment and devices, warfighters with lower extremity trauma still struggle to regain full functionalcapabilities. A key factor that limits the ability of these individuals to achieve maximum functional capabilities is falls. Fallshave serious consequences including loss of confidence, fear of falling, and injury. Warfighters with lower extremity traumaneed to face the risk of falling and overcome that fear. After standard rehabilitation for amputation or limb salvage, manywarfighters still struggle with falls, which can exacerbate physical and emotional injury and delay healing. When individualstrip or slip, they are likely to fall and injure themselves, in spite of advances in rehabilitation care. This project develops asecondary rehabilitation program, implemented after traditional therapy, and designed to reduce falls in warfighters withamputations or limb preservation procedures. The goals of this research effort are to augment existing rehabilitation with anovel, demonstrably successful fall-prevention training method to help warfighters return to full high-level functionalcapabilities and emotional wellness, and to decrease the time required to either return to active duty or to a productive, activecivilian life. The training program utilizes a microprocessor-controlled treadmill designed to deliver task-specific trainingperturbations. The training consists of six, 30 minute sessions delivered over a 4-week period. In the current year, we havedeveloped and operationalized perturbation protocols for all sites. Enrollment is underway.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1094655
Entities
People
- Kenton R. Kaufman
Organizations
- Mayo Clinic