title: Physiological cost index and comfort walking speed in two level lower limb amputees having no vascular disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Physiological Cost Index (PCI) was introduced by MacGregor to estimate the energy cost in walking of healthy people, also it has been reported for persons with lower limb amputation, walking with prosthesis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess energy cost and walking speed in two level lower limb amputation: transfemoral and transtibial amputation and to determine if the age and prosthetic walking supported with walking aids have impact on energy cost and walking speed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cross sectional study was performed in two level lower limb amputees with no vascular disease who were rehabilitated at the Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo. The Physiological Cost Index (PCI) was assessed by five minutes of continuous indoor walking at Comfort Walking Speed (CWS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty three lower limb amputees were recruited. It is shown relevant impact of level of amputation in PCI (t=6.8, p<0.001) and CWS (T=487, p<0.001). The great influence of using crutches during prosthetic walking in PCI (ANOVA F= 39.5 P < 0.001) and CWS (ANOVA F=32.01, P <0.001) has been shown by One Way ANOVA test. The correlation coefficient (R) showed a significant correlation of age with PCI and CWS in both groups of amputation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Walking with transfemoral prosthesis or using walking aids during prosthetic ambulation is matched with higher cost of energy and slower walking speed. Advanced age was shown with high impact on PCI and CWS in both groups of amputees.
authors: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, University Clinical Center, Prishtine, Republic of Kosovo.
authors: Teuta Osmani
authors: TO
authors: Vllasolli
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Skopje, Macedonia.
authors: Nikola
authors: N
authors: Orovcanec
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Skopje, Macedonia.
authors: Beti
authors: B
authors: Zafirova
authors: Royal University "Iliria"-Faculty of Medicine Sciences "Rezonanca", Prishtina, Kosovo.
authors: Blerim
authors: B
authors: Krasniqi
authors: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, University Clinical Center, Prishtine, Republic of Kosovo.
authors: Ardiana
authors: A
authors: Murtezani
authors: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, University Clinical Center, Prishtine, Republic of Kosovo.
authors: Valbona
authors: V
authors: Krasniqi
authors: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, University Clinical Center, Prishtine, Republic of Kosovo.
authors: Bukurije
authors: B
authors: Rama
keywords: age; amputation; comfort walking speed; crutches; physiological cost index