Postural responses during volitional and perturbed dynamic balance tasks in new lower limb amputees: a longitudinal study

Barnett, CT ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6898-9095, Vanicek, N and Polman, RCJ, 2013. Postural responses during volitional and perturbed dynamic balance tasks in new lower limb amputees: a longitudinal study. Gait & Posture, 37 (3), pp. 319-325. ISSN 0966-6362

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Abstract

This study examined the adaptation of postural responses in transtibial amputees during both perturbed and volitional dynamic balance tasks during a five-month period following discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Seven unilateral transtibial amputees performed the sensory organisation test (SOT) and the limits of stability (LOS) test protocols on the NeuroCom Equitest® at one, three and six months post-discharge from in-patient rehabilitation. Overall balance ability improved significantly (p=0.01) following discharge as did utilisation of somatosensory input (p=0.01), with hip strategy use decreasing. Reaction time and movement velocity did not change significantly in the majority of target directions for the LOS test. However, endpoint COG excursion and directional control were significantly increased in a number of directions (p≤0.05). Although balance ability improved following discharge from rehabilitation, participants were heavily reliant upon vision in order to maintain balance. Following discharge from rehabilitation, amputees were seemingly able to increase the spatial and accuracy aspects of volitional exploration of their LOS. However, temporal aspects did not display any adaptation, suggesting a trade-off between these aspects of postural control. Further practice of performing volitional postural movements under increasing time pressure, for example using low-cost gaming tools, may improve balance ability and postural control.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Gait & Posture
Creators:	Barnett, C.T., Vanicek, N. and Polman, R.C.J.
Publisher:	Elsevier
Place of Publication:	The Netherlands
Date:	2013
Volume:	37
Number:	3
ISSN:	0966-6362
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.07.023 DOI
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	EPrints Services
Date Added:	09 Oct 2015 09:41
Last Modified:	09 Jun 2017 13:08
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/1157

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