Gait asymmetry is associated with performance-based physical function among adults with lower-limb amputation

Files
Gait asymmetry is associated with performance-based physical function among.pdf (1.22 MB)
Figure 1.pdf (640.43 KB)
Date
2021-10-17
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adults with lower-limb amputation walk with an asymmetrical gait and exhibit poor functional outcomes, which may negatively impact quality-of-life. OBJECTIVE To evaluate associations between gait asymmetry and performance-based physical function among adults with lower-limb amputation. METHODS A cross-sectional study involving 38 adults with a unilateral transtibial (N = 24; 62.5 ± 10.5 years) or transfemoral amputation (N = 14; 59.9 ± 9.5 years) was conducted. Following gait analysis (capturing step length and stance time asymmetry at self-selected (SSWS) and fast walking speeds (FWS)), participants completed performance-based measures (i.e. Timed Up and Go (TUG), the 10-Meter Walk Test (10mwt), and the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)). RESULTS Step length and stance time asymmetry (at SSWS and FWS) were significantly correlated with each performance-based measure (p < .001 to p = .035). Overall, models with gait measures obtained at SSWS explained 40.1%, 46.8% and 40.1% of the variance in TUG-time (p = .022), 10mwt-speed (p = .003) and 6MWT-distance (p = .010), respectively. Models with gait measures obtained at FWS explained 70.0%, 59.8% and 51.8% of the variance in TUG-time (p < .001), 10mwt-speed (p < .001), and 6MWT-distance (p < .001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Increases in step length or stance time asymmetry are associated with increased TUG-time, slower 10mwt-speed, and reduced 6MWT-distance. Findings suggest gait asymmetry may be a factor in poor functional outcomes following lower-limb amputation.
Description
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Physiotherapy Theory and Practice on 10/17/2021, available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/09593985.2021.1990449. This article will be embargoed until 10/17/2022.
Keywords
amputation, outcome measures, prosthesis, rehabilitation, walking speed
Citation
Mayank Seth, Peter C Coyle, Ryan T Pohlig, Emma H Beisheim, John R Horne, Gregory E Hicks & Jaclyn Megan Sions (2021) Gait asymmetry is associated with performance-based physical function among adults with lower-limb amputation, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2021.1990449
URI
https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/30945
Collections
Open Access Publications
Open Access Publications