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Johansson R, Jensen L, Barnett CT, Rusaw DF. Quantitative methods used to evaluate balance, postural control, and the fear of falling in lower limb prosthesis users: A systematic review. Prosthet Orthot Int 2023; 47:586-598. [PMID: 37318276 DOI: 10.1097/pxr.0000000000000250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Problems with balance, postural control, and fear of falling are highly prevalent in lower limb prosthesis users, with much research conducted to understand these issues. The variety of tools used to assess these concepts presents a challenge when interpreting research outcomes. This systematic review aimed to provide a synthesis of quantifiable methods used in the evaluation of balance, postural control, and fear of falling in lower limb prosthesis users with an amputation level at or proximal to the ankle joint. A systematic search was conducted in CINAHL, Medline, AMED, Cochrane, AgeLine, Scopus, Web of Science, Proquest, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, and PubPsych databases followed by additional manual searching via reference lists in the reviewed articles databases. Included articles used quantitative measure of balance or postural control as one of the dependent variables, lower limb prosthesis users as a sample group, and were published in a peer-reviewed journal in English. Relevant assessment questions were created by the investigators to rate the assessment methods used in the individual studies. Descriptive and summary statistics are used to synthesize the results. The search yielded (n = 187) articles assessing balance or postural control (n = 5487 persons in total) and (n = 66) articles assessing fear of falling or balance confidence (n = 7325 persons in total). The most used test to measure balance was the Berg Balance Scale and the most used test to measure fear of falling was the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale. A large number of studies did not present if the chosen methods were valid and reliable for the lower limb prosthesis users. Among study limitations, small sample size was common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Johansson
- School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Louise Jensen
- School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden
- Southern Älvsborg Hospital, Borås, Sweden
| | - Cleveland T Barnett
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - David F Rusaw
- School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden
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Herzog M, Krafft FC, Stetter BJ, d'Avella A, Sloot LH, Stein T. Rollator usage lets young individuals switch movement strategies in sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit tasks. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16901. [PMID: 37803010 PMCID: PMC10558536 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43401-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The transitions between sitting and standing have a high physical and coordination demand, frequently causing falls in older individuals. Rollators, or four-wheeled walkers, are often prescribed to reduce lower-limb load and to improve balance but have been found a fall risk. This study investigated how rollator support affects sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit movements. Twenty young participants stood up and sat down under three handle support conditions (unassisted, light touch, and full support). As increasing task demands may affect coordination, a challenging floor condition (balance pads) was included. Full-body kinematics and ground reaction forces were recorded, reduced in dimensionality by principal component analyses, and clustered by k-means into movement strategies. Rollator support caused the participants to switch strategies, especially when their balance was challenged, but did not lead to support-specific strategies, i.e., clusters that only comprise light touch or full support trials. Three strategies for sit-to-stand were found: forward leaning, hybrid, and vertical rise; two in the challenging condition (exaggerated forward and forward leaning). For stand-to-sit, three strategies were found: backward lowering, hybrid, and vertical lowering; two in the challenging condition (exaggerated forward and forward leaning). Hence, young individuals adjust their strategy selection to different conditions. Future studies may apply this methodology to older individuals to recommend safe strategies and ultimately reduce falls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Herzog
- BioMotion Center, Institute of Sports and Sports Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Engler-Bunte Ring 15, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany.
- HEiKA-Heidelberg Karlsruhe Strategic Partnership, Heidelberg University, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - Frieder C Krafft
- HEiKA-Heidelberg Karlsruhe Strategic Partnership, Heidelberg University, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
- Optimization, Robotics, and Biomechanics, Institute of Computer Engineering, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Center of Prevention, Diagnostic and Performance, Center of Orthopaedics Hohenlohe, Künzelsau, Germany
| | - Bernd J Stetter
- BioMotion Center, Institute of Sports and Sports Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Engler-Bunte Ring 15, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
- Sports Orthopedics, Institute of Sports and Sports Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Andrea d'Avella
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Lizeth H Sloot
- HEiKA-Heidelberg Karlsruhe Strategic Partnership, Heidelberg University, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
- Optimization, Robotics, and Biomechanics, Institute of Computer Engineering, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Stein
- BioMotion Center, Institute of Sports and Sports Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Engler-Bunte Ring 15, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
- HEiKA-Heidelberg Karlsruhe Strategic Partnership, Heidelberg University, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
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Vaca M, Stine R, Hammond P, Cavanaugh M, Major MJ, Gard SA. The Effect of Prosthetic Ankle Dorsiflexion Stiffness on Standing Balance and Gait Biomechanics in Individuals with Unilateral Transtibial Amputation. JOURNAL OF PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS : JPO 2022; 34:10.1097/JPO.0000000000000451. [PMID: 36407034 PMCID: PMC9670249 DOI: 10.1097/jpo.0000000000000451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Vaca
- Department of Biomedical Engineering - Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL
- Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center, Dept. of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | | | | | - Michael Cavanaugh
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL
- Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center, Dept. of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Matthew J. Major
- Department of Biomedical Engineering - Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL
- Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center, Dept. of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Steven A. Gard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering - Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL
- Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center, Dept. of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
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Assessment of biomechanical deficits in individuals with a trans-tibial amputation during level gait using one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping. Gait Posture 2021; 87:130-135. [PMID: 33910101 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most previous studies reported biomechanical deficits in individuals with a trans-tibial amputation (TTA) during gait using zero-dimensional analyses. However, these analyses do not allow to precisely determine during which part of the gait cycle these deficits occur. There is a need to use more appropriate methods to map the differences, such as one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping. RESEARCH QUESTION What are the most relevant phases of the gait cycle during which the biomechanical deficits in TTA occur? METHODS Eight TTA and 15 healthy counterparts (CON) underwent one biomechanical gait analysis. Pelvis, hip, knee and ankle kinematics, total support moment (TSM) and gastrocnemius lateralis, vastus lateralis and tibialis anterior muscle activity were compared between the amputated (AmLL), the intact (InLL) and the control (CnLL) lower limbs using one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping. RESULTS More ankle dorsiflexion and knee flexion were observed for the AmLL compared to the InLL and CnLL (ankle only) from the end of the stance phase to the beginning of the swing phase. Less knee flexion was also found for the AmLL during early stance phase. More pelvis posterior tilt and rotation toward the contralateral limb was observed during most of the gait cycle for the AmLL compared to the InLL. TSM was smaller for the AmLL compared to the CnLL during early stance phase. SIGNIFICANCE Using a one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping approach for TTA gait analysis, this study provides novel insights on their biomechanical gait deficits compared to CON. Greater reliance on the InLL was observed in TTA as suggested by the asymmetric kinematic and kinetic profiles.
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Nolasco LA, Livingston J, Silverman AK, Gates DH. The ins and outs of dynamic balance during 90-degree turns in people with a unilateral transtibial amputation. J Biomech 2021; 122:110438. [PMID: 33933867 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The ability to maintain balance when turning is essential to functional and independent living. Due to the lack of neuromuscular ankle control on the prosthetic side in people with a transtibial amputation (TTA), turning is likely more challenging. The purpose of this study was to quantify how people with TTA maintain dynamic balance during 90-degree turns made with the prosthesis on the inside and outside of the turn compared to people without amputation. Eight participants with TTA and eight age-, height-, and sex- matched non-amputee controls performed left and right 90-degree step turns at a self-selected speed. The primary outcomes were range of whole-body angular momentum and positive and negative contributions of six segment groups (head/trunk, pelvis, arms, and legs) to whole-body angular momentum during the continuation stride. Participants with TTA had greater range of frontal- and sagittal-plane whole-body angular momentum when turning with the prosthesis on the inside compared controls. They also had a greater range of whole-body angular momentum in all planes of motion when turning with the prosthesis on the inside compared to outside of the turn. The contributions for the head/trunk and inside and outside legs differed between groups and turns, suggesting altered interactions between segment momenta to compensate for the reduced contribution of the amputated leg. This study provides insight into possible training paradigms to reduce the high incidence of turn related falls in people with TTA and, potentially, ways to alter prosthetic function to promote balance control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Nolasco
- School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jenna Livingston
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Anne K Silverman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - Deanna H Gates
- School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Rosenblatt NJ, Girgis C, Avalos M, Fleischer AE, Crews RT. The Role of the Podiatrist in Assessing and Reducing Fall Risk: An Updated Review. Clin Podiatr Med Surg 2020; 37:327-369. [PMID: 32146988 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpm.2019.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Falls present a tremendous challenge to health care systems. This article reviews the literature from the previous 5 years (2014-2019) in terms of methods to assess fall risk and potential steps that can be taken to reduce fall risk for patients visiting podiatric clinics. With regard to assessing fall risk, we discuss the role of a thorough medical history and podiatric assessments of foot problems and deformities that can be performed in the clinic. With regard to fall prevention we consider the role of shoe modification, exercise, pain relief, surgical interventions, and referrals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah J Rosenblatt
- Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine's Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR), 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.
| | - Christopher Girgis
- Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine's Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR), 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Marco Avalos
- Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine's Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR), 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Adam E Fleischer
- Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine's Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR), 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Ryan T Crews
- Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine's Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR), 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
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