Improved Training Method for Rapid Rehabilitation of Amputees
Abstract
The U.S. military is providing amputees with state-of-the-art prosthetic devices that allow them to more easily adapt to the different surfaces and environments they are faced with in the community. In addition to walking and changing direction, amputees must be able to manage uneven terrain, crowded environments, stairs, ramps, and hills. The largest problem for a lower extremity amputee is falls. Even with the newer technologies, falls and injuries due to falling are still an issue. Falling history and balance confidence are associated with reduced mobility capability and social activity. The goal of this research effort is to rehabilitate individuals with lower extremity amputations to reduce falls using a novel training method. The training program utilizes a microprocessor-controlled treadmill designed to deliver task-specific training perturbations. The training consists of six, 30 minute sessions delivered over a 2-week period. Trunk motion and velocity were assessed using a perturbation test in an immersive virtual environment, since trunk kinematics has been shown to determine fall likelihood. We have enrolled 18 research subjects at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. Mean trunk flexion angle and velocity significantly improved after participating in the training program. The improved performance was maintained up to 6 months. Subjects reported decreased uncontrolled and semi-controlled falls in their free-living environment outside of the research laboratory. These results indicate that task-specific training is an effective rehabilitation method to reduce falls in persons with lower limb amputations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA600467
Entities
People
- Kenton R. Kaufman
- Marilynn Wyatt
- Mark Grabiner
- Pinata Sessoms
Organizations
- Mayo Clinic