Enhancing Motor Function in Individuals with Lower Limb Amputation

ConditionAmputation

Trial statusRecruiting

Trial phaseNot applicable

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexAll

Age18+

SponsorUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas

About this trial

The overall goal of this research project is to investigate the effectiveness and the science of peer-based prosthetic skill training in individuals with leg amputation. Our belief is that amputee learners will show improved skill learning when observing demonstrations from other amputees, as opposed to observing nonamputee models. The investigators will accomplish the objective by answering the following two questions:

Question 1: Does peer-based observation training works better for learning motor tasks for individuals with lower limb amputation (LLA)?

Question 2: Are there differences in visual focus, behavior, and brain activation patterns when observing motor task demonstrations from amputee peers vs. non-amputees?

Participants of this study will be asked to learn a balance and a fall recovery task by observing video demonstrations by amputee peers vs. non-amputees. The investigators will compare which setting produce better learning.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

1) have unilateral lower limb amputation,

2) age >18 years,

3) are properly fitted with a walking prosthesis and use it regularly with at least moderate proficiency (K-2 level or above, further defined as scoring greater than 50 percentile on the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility),

4) able to stand for at least 5 minutes without using an assistive device or experiencing excessive fatigue,

Disqualifiers

1) have other concurrent central nervous system diseases that influence motor function and balance,

2) have leg/foot ulcer or other conditions that cause pain during weight-bearing,

3) have cardiovascular, respiratory or other critical health conditions that preclude moderate physical activity.

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

Balance and fall recovery training

Treatment groups

20 Participants

are divided into 2 treatment groups

Sponsors and collaborators

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Lead sponsor

United States Department of Defense

Collaborator

Source ClinicalTrials.gov