title: Balance control on a moving platform in unilateral lower limb amputees.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. a.h.vrieling@rev.umcg.nl
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Vrieling
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: van Keeken
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schoppen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Otten
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hof
authors.forename: J P K
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Halbertsma
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Postema
mesh_terms: 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