Feasibility of a new concept for measuring actual functional performance in daily life of transfemoral amputees.
OBJECTIVE
Determining the feasibility of implementing a new concept to objectively evaluate actual functional abilities of transfemoral amputees into a new measuring tool called "Assessment of Daily Activity Performance in Transfemoral amputees" (ADAPT).


METHODS
Study 1: cross-sectional design. Study 2: repeated measures design.


METHODS
Study 1 comprised two groups of 10 participants, age range 19-72 years. One group used microprocessor-controlled knee joints and the other group used mechanically controlled knee joints. Study 2 comprised 20 participants, age range 31-68 years.


METHODS
Two versions of ADAPT were assessed in the separate studies. In study 1 performance times on version 1 of ADAPT were compared between groups. In study 2 participants completed version 2 of ADAPT twice with a 1 h rest between trials. The Locomotor Capabilities Index was administered. Reliability was determined by calculating correlation coefficients and by Bland-Altman analyses.


RESULTS
In study 1, ADAPT version 1 proved to be sensitive in detecting differences in performance between groups. In study 2, 75% of all correlation coefficients exceeded 0.90 in version 2 of ADAPT. Bland-Altman analyses showed high test-retest agreement.


CONCLUSIONS
It is feasible to reliably assess actual functional abilities of transfemoral amputees using standardized simulations of daily activities. This ADAPT concept is able to differentiate between different functional performance levels.
Theeven
Patrick
P
Adelante, Centre of Expertise in Rehabilitation and Audiology, Zandbergsweg 111, The Netherlands. P.theeven@adelante-zorggroep.nl
Hemmen
Bea
B
Stevens
Caroline
C
Ilmer
Esther
E
Brink
Peter
P
Seelen
Henk
H
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000674:Amputees / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology