title: Energy expenditure and activity of transfemoral amputees using mechanical and microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knees.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantify the energy efficiency of locomotion and free-living physical activity energy expenditure of transfemoral amputees using a mechanical and microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated-measures design to evaluate comparative functional outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Exercise physiology laboratory and community free-living environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects (N=15; 12 men, 3 women; age, 42+/-9 y; range, 26-57 y) with transfemoral amputation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research participants were long-term users of a mechanical prosthesis (20+/-10 y as an amputee; range, 3-36 y). They were fitted with a microprocessor-controlled knee prosthesis and allowed to acclimate (mean time, 18+/-8 wk) before being retested.
  
  
  METHODS
  Objective measurements of energy efficiency and total daily energy expenditure were obtained. The Prosthetic Evaluation Questionnaire was used to gather subjective feedback from the participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects demonstrated significantly increased physical activity-related energy expenditure levels in the participant's free-living environment (P=.04) after wearing the microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joint. There was no significant difference in the energy efficiency of walking (P=.34). When using the microprocessor-controlled knee, the subjects expressed increased satisfaction in their daily lives (P=.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  People ambulating with a microprocessor-controlled knee significantly increased their physical activity during daily life, outside the laboratory setting, and expressed an increased quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Motion Analysis Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Kaufman.kenton@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Kenton R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Brey
authors.forename: Shelly K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: McCrady
authors.forename: Denny J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Padgett
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Joyner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome