title: A single-blind, cross-over trial of hip abductor strength training to improve Timed Up & Go performance in patients with unilateral, transfemoral amputation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate hip abductor strength-training for patients with unilateral transfemoral amputation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-blind, cross-over (AB/BA) trial with randomization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen patients with transfemoral amputation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects completed 8-week programs of twice weekly hip abductor strength training or arm ergometry. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either the experimental or active control intervention first. A physiotherapist blinded to group assignment conducted baseline and post-intervention assessments. The Timed Up & Go (TUG) test was selected as the primary outcome measure; secondary measures included the 2 Minute Walk (2MW), hip abductor strength, Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and prosthetic use. A two-way cross-over ANOVA was used for baseline and post-intervention treatment comparisons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no baseline differences between treatments for TUG, 2MW, ABC, Houghton scale, sitting or side-lying abductor strength (p > 0.05 for all), though supine strength was greater for the experimental treatment (p < 0.05). After 8-weeks of hip abductor strength training, there were significant treatment effects for TUG, ABC (p < 0.01 for both), 2MW (p < 0.05), sitting and side-lying abductor strength (p = 0.05 for both), but not for supine strength, prosthetic use, nor thigh girth measures (p > 0.05 for all).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that patients with unilateral transfemoral amputation can improve functional performance and balance confidence following intense hip abductor strength training.
authors.affiliation: West Park Healthcare Centre, 82 Buttonwood Ave., Toronto, ON, M6M 2J5, Canada. tim.pauley@westpark.org.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pauley
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Devlin
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Madan-Sharma
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D016552:Ergometry; D056228:Feedback, Sensory / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006428:Hemipelvectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006615:Hip / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D055070:Resistance Training; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking