Does the provision of a Microprocessor knee improve physical activity?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Quasi-experimental pilot study to assess whether the provision of a microprocessor knee improves the physical activity levels of a trans-femoral amputee.
IRAS ID
261545
Contact name
Peter Worsely
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 3 months, 30 days
Research summary
Does the provision of a micro processor prosthetic knee joint improve the physical activity of trans-femoral amputees? - A pilot study.
Adults in the UK are becoming more inactive and failing to achieve the recommended levels of activity. This has implications regarding preventing chronic disease, early mortality and developing obesity. Amputees complete less activity than their able bodied counter parts. They face more difficulties in completing activity due to the restrictions caused by their prosthetic legs and many have chronic disease already. Since the beginning of 2017 the NHS has started to prescribe micro processor knees (MPKs) to certain patients who are assessed if they are eligible by a trial. MPKs are the most advanced artificial knee joints currently available and have been found to reduce falls and make walking easier. Therefore using a MPK may encourage/facilitate the user to complete more activity. There has been little research that has studied this specifically. Therefore the implementation of the MPK policy presents a unique opportunity to undertake research in this area. This research can demostrate the feasibilty of completing research on this topic and be used to start building the evidence base for the next iteration of the MPK policy.
Patients who attend the Dorset Prosthetic Centre and the Portsmouth Enablement Centre who are completing a MPK trial will be eligible to participant in the trial. They will wear an activity monitor on their prosthesis for one week with their standard prosthetic knee and then again when they receive the MPK on a permanent basis. They will be asked to continue with their usual activities. Data will be analysed to see if there is a change in step activity or sedentary time. This study is part of a Masters pathway and has no external funding.REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0448
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jul 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion