Balance control on a moving platform in unilateral lower limb amputees.
OBJECTIVE
To study balance control on a moving platform in lower limb amputees.


METHODS
Observational cohort study.


METHODS
Unilateral transfemoral and transtibial amputees and able-bodied control subjects.


METHODS
Balance control on a platform that moved in the anteroposterior direction was tested with eyes open, blindfolded and while performing a dual task.


METHODS
Weight bearing symmetry, anteroposterior ground reaction force and centre of pressure shift.


RESULTS
Compared to able-bodied subjects, in amputees the anteroposterior ground reaction force was larger in the prosthetic and non-affected limb, and the centre of pressure displacement was increased in the non-affected limb and decreased in the prosthetic limb. In amputees body weight was loaded more on the non-affected limb. Blindfolding or adding a dual task did not influence the outcome measures importantly.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that experienced unilateral amputees with a high activity level compensate for the loss of ankle strategy by increasing movements and loading in the non-affected limb. The ability to cope with balance perturbations is limited in the prosthetic limb. To enable amputees to manage all possible balance disturbances in real life in a safe manner, we recommend to improve muscle strength and control in the non-affected limb and to train complex balance tasks in challenging environments during rehabilitation.
Vrieling
A H
AH
Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. a.h.vrieling@rev.umcg.nl
van Keeken
H G
HG
Schoppen
T
T
Otten
E
E
Hof
A L
AL
Halbertsma
J P K
JP
Postema
K
K
D000674:Amputees; D001288:Attention; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology