Can real-time visual feedback during gait retraining reduce metabolic demand for individuals with transtibial amputation?

Authors

Elizabeth R. Esposito, Brooke Army Medical Center, Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence
Harmony S. Choi, Brooke Army Medical Center, Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence
Benjamin J. Darter, Virginia Commonwealth University
Jason M. Wilken, Brooke Army Medical Center, Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence

Document Type

Article

Original Publication Date

2017

Journal/Book/Conference Title

PLOS One

Volume

12

Issue

2

DOI of Original Publication

10.1371/journal.pone.0171786

Comments

Originally published at https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0171786

Date of Submission

June 2017

Abstract

The metabolic demand of walking generally increases following lower extremity amputation. This study used real-time visual feedback to modify biomechanical factors linked to an elevated metabolic demand of walking in individuals with transtibial amputation. Eight persons with unilateral, traumatic transtibial amputation and 8 uninjured controls participated. Two separate bouts of real-time visual feedback were provided during a single session of gait retraining to reduce 1) center of mass sway and 2) thigh muscle activation magnitudes and duration. Baseline and post-intervention data were collected. Metabolic rate, heart rate, frontal plane center of mass sway, quadriceps and hamstrings muscle activity, and co-contraction indices were evaluated during steady state walking at a standardized speed. Visual feedback successfully decreased center of mass sway 12% (p = 0.006) and quadriceps activity 12% (p = 0.041); however, thigh muscle co-contraction indices were unchanged. Neither condition significantly affected metabolic rate during walking and heart rate increased with center-of-mass feedback. Metabolic rate, center of mass sway, and integrated quadriceps muscle activity were all not significantly different from controls. Attempts to modify gait to decrease metabolic demand may actually adversely increase the physiological effort of walking in individuals with lower extremity amputation who are young, active and approximate metabolic rates of able-bodied adults.

Rights

This is an open access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.

Is Part Of

VCU Physical Therapy Publications