The effect of dual-task testing on the balance and gait of people with lower limb amputations: A systematic review

The effect of exercise interventions on gait outcomes in subacute and chronic rehabilitation from lower-limb amputation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Successful walking is a substantial contributor to quality of life in people with lower-limb amputation (PLLA), yet gait difficulties are common. Evidence-based exercise guidelines are necessary for PLLA with different clinical characteristics and at different phases of recovery. To systematically review the literature evaluating effects of exercise interventions on gait outcomes in PLLA at subacute and chronic stages of recovery. Databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched (inception to May 10, 2022). Inclusion criteria: randomized controlled trials assessing gait outcomes following exercise intervention; subjects were PLLA ≥18 years of age and used a prosthesis for walking. Meta-analysis using random effects with inverse variance to generate standardized mean differences (SMDs) was completed for primary gait outcomes. Subgroup analysis was conducted for the recovery phase (i.e., subacute and chronic) and level of amputation (e.g., transfemoral and transtibial). Of 16 included articles, 4 studies examined the subacute phase of recovery, whereas 12 examined the chronic phase. Subacute interventions were 30 minutes, 1-7 times/week, for 2-12 weeks. Chronic interventions were 15-60-minutes, 2-3 times/week, for 4-16 weeks. Low-moderate level evidence was shown for a small improvement in the subacute phase (SMD = 0.42, 95% confidence interval [0.06-0.79], I 2 = 46.0%) and a moderate improvement in the chronic phase (SMD = 0.67, 95% confidence interval [0.40-0.94], I 2 = 0.0%) in favor of exercise intervention groups. Multicomponent exercise programs consisting of gait, balance, and strength training are effective at improving gait outcomes in PLLA at subacute and chronic phases of recovery. The optimal duration and frequency of exercise is unclear because of variation between interventions, highlighting an area for future work.

The influence of prosthetic suspension on gait and cortical modulations is persons with a transfemoral amputation: socket-suspended versus bone-anchored prosthesis

BACKGROUND

Persons with a transfemoral amputation (TFA) often experience difficulties in daily-life ambulation, including an asymmetrical and less stable gait pattern and a greater cognitive demand of walking. However, it remains unclear whether this is effected by the prosthetic suspension, as eliminating the non-rigid prosthetic connection may influence stability and cortical activity during walking. Spatiotemporal and stability-related gait parameters, as well as cortical activity during walking, were evaluated between highly active individuals (MFC-level K3-4) with a TFA and able-bodied (AB) persons, and between persons with a bone-anchored prosthesis (BAP) and those with a socket-suspended prosthesis (SSP).

METHODS

18 AB persons and 20 persons with a unilateral TFA (10 BAP-users, 10 SSP-users) walked on a treadmill at their preferred speed. Spatiotemporal and margin of stability parameters were extracted from three-dimensional movement recordings. In addition, 126-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. Brain-related activity from several cortical areas was isolated using independent component analysis. Source-level data were divided into gait cycles and subjected to time-frequency analysis to determine gait-cycle dependent modulations of cortical activity.

RESULTS

Persons with TFA walked with smaller and wider steps and with greater variability in mediolateral foot placement than AB subjects; no significant differences were found between BAP- and SSP-users. The EEG analysis yielded four cortical clusters in frontal, central (both hemispheres), and parietal areas. No statistically significant between-group differences were found in the mean power over the entire gait cycle. The event-related spectral perturbation maps revealed differences in power modulations (theta, alpha, and beta bands) between TFA and AB groups, and between BAP- and SSP-users, with largest differences observed around heel strike of either leg.

CONCLUSIONS

The anticipated differences in gait parameters in persons with TFA were confirmed, however no significant effect of the fixed suspension of a BAP was found. The preliminary EEG findings may indicate more active monitoring and control of stability in persons with TFA, which appeared to be timed differently in SSP than in BAP-users. Future studies may focus on walking tasks that challenge stability to further investigate differences related to prosthetic suspension.

Association between measures of cognitive function on physical function in novice users of a lower limb prosthesis

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment is prevalent in people with lower limb amputations (PLLA) and is associated with adverse outcomes, such as falls and worse rehabilitation outcomes. Physical function tests are essential to examine abilities; however, no research in PLLA has clarified the magnitude of cognitive demands amongst available tests in users novice at walking with a prosthesis.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is there an association between cognitive and physical function for PLLA novice at walking with a prosthesis?

METHODS

People from inpatient prosthetic rehabilitation were recruited. Inclusion criteria were: age ≥ 50 years, unilateral transtibial amputation and able to walk independently. Gait velocity and the L Test under single-task (usual) and dual-task (walking while counting backwards) conditions assessed functional mobility. The Four Square Step Test (FSST) examined dynamic balance. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Trail Making Test (TMT-B) assessed global cognitive status and executive function, respectively. Multivariable linear regressions evaluated the association of cognition on physical function.

RESULTS

Twenty-two people participated (age: 62.3 ± 8.9 years, male: 68.18%). The mean MoCA score was 26.23 ± 2.90. A 1-point MoCA increase was independently associated with faster gait velocity (cm/s) [single-task: 5.45 (95%CI: 2.35-8.54, AdjR² =0.46), dual-task: 5.04 (95%CI: 1.33-8.75, AdjR² =0.20) and a quicker L Test (s) [single-task: - 4.75 (95%CI: 7.22-2.28, AdjR² =0.45), dual-task: - 5.27 (95%CI: 8.74-1.80, AdjR² =0.38)]. A 1-second TMT-B increase was also independently associated with worse L Test performance [single-task: 0.21 s (95%CI: 0.03-0.39, AdjR² =0.20), dual-task: 0.29 s (95%CI: 0.06-0.51, AdjR² =0.30)]. No association was observed between MoCA or TMT-B on the FSST (p > 0.13).

SIGNIFICANCE

Better global cognitive function and executive function were independently associated with faster gait velocity and improved functional mobility, but not dynamic balance. The present study demonstrates a unique relationship between cognition and physical function that warrants further research on the cognitive demands among clinical tests of physical function in PLLA.

Therapeutic benefits of lower limb prostheses: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Enhancing the quality of life of people with a lower limb amputation is critical in prosthetic development and rehabilitation. Yet, no overview is available concerning the impact of passive, quasi-passive and active ankle-foot prostheses on quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the therapeutic benefits of performing daily activities with passive, quasi-passive and active ankle-foot prostheses in people with a lower limb amputation.

METHODS

We searched the Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and Pedro databases, and backward citations until November 3, 2021. Only English-written randomised controlled trials, cross-sectional, cross-over and cohort studies were included when the population comprised individuals with a unilateral transfemoral or transtibial amputation, wearing passive, quasi-passive or active ankle-foot prostheses. The intervention and outcome measures had to include any aspect of quality of life assessed while performing daily activities. We synthesised the participants' characteristics, type of prosthesis, intervention, outcome and main results, and conducted risk of bias assessment using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. This study is registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42021290189.

RESULTS

We identified 4281 records and included 34 studies in total. Results indicate that quasi-passive and active prostheses are favoured over passive prostheses based on biomechanical, physiological, performance and subjective measures in the short-term. All studies had a moderate or high risk of bias.

CONCLUSION

Compared to passive ankle-foot prostheses, quasi-passive and active prostheses significantly enhance the quality of life. Future research should investigate the long-term therapeutic benefits of prosthetics devices.