Stability and gait analysis of lower limb prosthetic users
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of differences in dynamic stability, gait parameters and gait variability among prosthetic users
IRAS ID
244306
Contact name
Anthony McGarry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Strathclyde
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Fall prevention programs are very important to reduce the risk of falling in those with disability. Whilst a variety of studies have discussed passive stability in healthy and disabled individuals (including amputation), very few studies have focused on dynamic stability although as reported most falls take place during walking.
Gait analysis of individuals with lower limb loss provides improved insight and understanding of adaptation strategies used to facilitate normal walking when using a prosthesis. This research aims to study the dynamic stability and walking patterns of lower limb prosthetic users and examine the differences when compared to able-bodied. Moreover, to provide an in depth analysis of the of balance recovery mechanisms in lower limb prosthetic users.
The hypothesis of the study is that there are significant differences among the study population in terms of gait patterns as well as dynamic stability. A measurement introduced by (Hof et al 2005) called margins of stability (MoS) will be used to measure the stability during walking and gait patterns, will be measured by joint angles and spatiotemporal parameters.
Research questions; Do prosthetic users exhibited decreased dynamic stability when they walk compared to the able-bodied?
How prosthetic users differ from able-bodied when they face unexpected slips during walking?
Do prosthetic users walk relatively similar to each other regardless of the cause of limb loss?
Participants will be asked to perform several trials with different perturbations types to test their reactions within controlled environment called Computer Assisted Rehabilitation ENvironment (CAREN) based in University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. The equipment uses an instrumented split belt treadmill for walk and VICON cameras for motion capture. All subjects will be attached with safety harness system that integrated within the tool.The use of such information may be clinically relevant,for example, to improve gait training programs as well as component development.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EM/0175
Date of REC Opinion
16 May 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion