title: The Conventional Non-Articulated SACH or a Multiaxial Prosthetic Foot for Hypomobile Transtibial Amputees? A Clinical Comparison on Mobility, Balance, and Quality of Life.
abstract: The effects of a non-articulated SACH and a multiaxial foot-ankle mechanism on the performance of low-activity users are of great interest for practitioners in amputee rehabilitation. The aim of this study is to compare these two prosthetic feet and assess possible improvements introduced by the increased degrees of freedom provided by the multiaxial foot. For this purpose, a group of 20 hypomobile transtibial amputees (TTAs) had their usual SACH replaced with a multiaxial foot. Participants' functional mobility, involving ambulatory skills in overground level walking, ramps, and stairs, was evaluated by performing Six-Minute Walking Test (6 MWT), Locomotor Capability Index-5 (LCI-5), Hill Assessment Index (HAI), and Stair Assessment Index (SAI). Balance performances were assessed using Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and analysing upper body accelerations during gait. Moreover, the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ) was performed to indicate the prosthesis-related quality of life. Results showed that participants walked faster using the multiaxial foot (p < 0.05) maintaining the same upright gait stability. Significant improvements with the multiaxial foot were also observed in BBS, LCI-5, and SAI times and 4 of 9 subscales of the PEQ. Our findings demonstrate that a multiaxial foot represents a considerable alternative solution with respect to the conventional SACH in the prosthetic prescription for hypomobile TTAs.
authors.affiliation: Santa Lucia Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy ; Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Interuniversity Centre of Bioengineering of the Human Neuromusculoskeletal System, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Piazza Lauro De Bosis 6, 00135 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paradisi
authors.affiliation: Santa Lucia Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Sofia
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3978-5349
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Delussu
authors.affiliation: Santa Lucia Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brunelli
authors.affiliation: Santa Lucia Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2434-3887
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iosa
authors.affiliation: ITOP SpA Officine Ortopediche, Via Prenestina Nuova 163, Palestrina, 00036 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.affiliation: ITOP SpA Officine Ortopediche, Via Prenestina Nuova 163, Palestrina, 00036 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zenardi
authors.affiliation: Santa Lucia Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Traballesi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000674:Amputees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D004856:Postural Balance; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking