Transtibial Amputee Balance Training: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Lower limb amputees have reduced joint mobility and strength which negatively influence an individual's ability to maintain balance. Individuals with lower limb amputation also have an increased fear of falling and reduced social participation because of this fear. Improving balance ability, reducing falls and fear of falling through effective balance training interventions would have a number of socio-economic benefits. The aim of the current study is to investigate whether taking part in a games console based-balance intervention, improves balance ability in individuals with lower limb amputation.

Lower limb amputation (LLA) results in the loss of the biological joint structures such as the ankle and knee, along with the associated musculature. This reduces joint mobility and strength and thus adversely affects amputees' ability to maintain balance. As a result, individuals with a LLA have been shown to fall more often when compared to age-matched and otherwise healthy individuals. In addition, individuals with LLA also have an increased fear of falling and reduced social participation because of this fear. Improving balance ability, reducing falls and fear of falling in this patient group through effective balance training interventions would have a number of socio-economic benefits. Such benefits may include but are not limited to reduced care costs, reduced burden on healthcare services and an improved sense of patient well-being. Therefore, the main aim of the current randomised control trial (RCT) is to investigate whether taking part in a games console based-balance intervention, improves experienced LLAs balance ability. The RCT also aims to assess how this intervention affects an amputee's falls rate, fear of falling and quality of life. After providing informed consent, unilateral lower limb amputees will be randomly allocated to one of two groups; an experimental group (12-week balance training intervention) or a control group (no intervention). Amputees in the experimental group will be loaned the use of a games console for the duration of the home-based intervention. Balance ability, falls rate, fear of falling and quality of life will be assessed prior to and post the intervention period as well as after three months following the end of the intervention period. Falls rate will also assessed one year post the intervention period. Results from the current study will provide evidence for the use of games-console based balance interventions in improving balance and falls outcomes for LLA.