Journal
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION
Volume 98, Issue 9, Pages 745-750Publisher
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001183
Keywords
Amputation; Balance; Function; Outcome Measure
Categories
Funding
- National Institutes of Health [RO3HD088668, 5T32HD007490-17]
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Objective For individuals with lower-limb loss, functional mobility (ie, K-level) classification can be subjective. Performance-based outcome measures improve the objectivity of K-level assignment; therefore, this study aimed to determine differences in functional strength- and dynamic balance-based outcome measures performance between K3- and K4-classified adults with lower-limb loss. Design Prosthetists used subjective information and prosthetic componentry to determine K-levels before outcome measures testing for adults with a unilateral transtibial (n = 50) or transfemoral amputation (n = 17). Outcome measures (ie, 5-Times Sit-to-Stand Test, Figure-of-8 Walk Test, 360-degree Turn Test, and modified Four-Square Step Test) were administered by a blinded examiner. Univariate analyses of variance were used to evaluate between-subgroup differences. Results K4-classified participants with a unilateral transfemoral amputation performed better on all outcome measures when compared with K3-classified peers, whereas K4-classified individuals with a transtibial amputation performed better on the modified Four-Square Step Test compared with K3-classified peers (P < 0.050). Conclusions K4-classified individuals demonstrated greater lower-limb functional strength and better dynamic balance compared with K3-classified peers. To assist with K-level classification, clinicians should consider selecting outcome measures that objectively differentiate between K-levels (ie, modified Four-Square Step Test for those with a unilateral transtibial or transfemoral amputation; 5-Times Sit-to-Stand Test, Figure-of-8 Walk Test, and 360-degree Turn Test for those with a transfemoral amputation).
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