Altered movement strategies in sit-to-stand task in persons with transtibial amputation

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sit-to-stand movement is an essential function for participation in many activities of daily living. Although this movement is one of the most important functional tasks, there is limited research investigating strategies of sit-to-stand movement in transtibial amputees. OBJECTIVES: To examine movement strategies of the sit-to-stand task in persons with transtibial amputation and healthy non-amputated individuals. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 12 male unilateral transtibial amputees and 19 healthy male subjects participated in this study. Sit-to-stand movement was evaluated in terms of weight transfer time, weight-bearing symmetry, sway velocity, and rising index by using Balance Master System. RESULTS: Participants in both groups exhibited similar weight-bearing transfer time (p > 0.05). Transtibial amputees demonstrated significantly greater weight-bearing asymmetry, higher sway velocity, and lower rising index than healthy subjects during the sit-to-stand transfer movement (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Transtibial amputees were unable to use the same movement strategies during a sit-to-stand task as healthy individuals; therefore, they had to develop new strategies to perform this task. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Little is known about the altered movement strategies during sit-to-stand task in transtibial amputees. The results of the study might provide some new insight into the motor components of the sit-to-stand movement in persons with transtibial amputation for both clinicians and researchers.