RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06638723

Enhancing Motor Function in Individuals with Lower Limb Amputation

Enhancing Motor Function in Individuals with Lower Limb Amputation Through Peer-Based Balance and Fall Recovery Skill Training

Sponsor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Enrollment

20 participants

Start Date

Jun 30, 2023

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Amputation

Summary

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

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

\) have unilateral lower limb amputation,
\) age >18 years,
\) 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),
\) able to stand for at least 5 minutes without using an assistive device or experiencing excessive fatigue,
\) willing to travel to UNLV 6 times for training and testing.

Exclusion Criteria3

\) have other concurrent central nervous system diseases that influence motor function and balance,
\) have leg/foot ulcer or other conditions that cause pain during weight-bearing,
\) have cardiovascular, respiratory or other critical health conditions that preclude moderate physical activity.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALBalance and fall recovery training

Following the video observation described in the arms, participants will undergo training to physically practice the motor tasks. The training will take place over a 2-week period encompassing 40 practice trials for each task over the training sessions. During training, the investigators will continuously monitor the changes in balance and fall recovery task performance, and will provide feedback. Participants can request to re-watch the demonstration video that they were assigned to at any time.