Abstract
Gait evaluation of young adults wearing a Bledsoe-Extender-Plus© knee brace at two different degrees of flexion
Jill Brady (Undergraduate), Nicole Leman (Undergraduate), Karen Rispin
LeTourneau University
Solheim Kinesiology Laboratory
Summary
As students of the LeTourneau University WHEELS team, we are recording outcomes measures of the Bledsoe-Extender-Plus© knee brace. Using the GAITRite© mat, several skills tests and a questionnaire, this comparative study will investigate differences in gait performance for students wearing the brace locked at 10° and 0° flexion1.
Introduction
Outcomes measures are used to evaluate the functionality of assistive devices utilized in a variety of rehabilitation settings2. Athletes commonly tear their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in sports injuries; many of these injuries require the use of a knee brace, particularly in female athletes3. This study investigates whether wearing the brace locked at 10° or 0° flexion provides lower energy cost, more normal gait characteristics and greater user satisfaction. In studies with prosthetic users in less resourced settings the Gait Function Questionnaire (GFQ) was developed4. The GFQ has been used to evaluate the subjects’ experiences using the brace at 10° and 0° flexion1. This brace study is presently being done for the ongoing validation of the GFQ. We hypothesize that the 10° knee position will promote more symmetrical gait, lower energy cost, and higher user satisfaction for specific aspects of gait function.
Methods
Wearing the brace locked at 10° and then 0° flexion, each subject will complete a suite of tests including the following: Timed Up-and-Go test (TUG), a six minute Timed Walk Test (TWT), a ten-minute Physiological Cost Index (PCI) performed on a treadmill, and a two minute PCI performed during three skills tests: stairs, around chairs, and on a ramp5-7. Heart rates will be measured during walking and resting using a Polar RS400 Heart Rate Monitor. The GAITRite© pressure sensitive gait analysis mat will be utilized to record spatial and temporal gait characteristics. All subjects will walk across the GAITRite© mat 15 times1. Subjects will answer the GFQ upon completion of the tests.
Preliminary Results and Conclusion
This study is currently underway. Preliminary results should be available by the conference date.
References
1. Schlung J. Preliminary validation of the gait function questionnaire. Forthcoming.
2. Condie E, Scott H, Treweek S. 2006. Lower limb prosthetic outcome measures: A review of the literature 1995 to 2005. Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics. 18(6):13-45.
3. Csintalan,P, Inacio, M, Funahashi, T. 2008. Incidence Rate of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructions. The Permanente Journal.12(3):17:21.
4. Rispin K, Husk C, Lew S, Schufeldt T and Gonzalez R. Preliminary Development and Validation of the LEGS Functional Parameters Questionnaire. The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics World Conference. Leipzig, Germany 2010.
5. Wall JC, Bell C, Campbell S, Davis J. 2000. The timed get-up-and-go test revisited: Measurement of the component tasks. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development. 37(1):109-114.
6. Enright P. 2003. The Six-Minute Walk Test. Respiratory Care. 48: 783-785.
7. IJzerman, MJ, Nene, AV. 2002. Feasibility of the physiological cost index as an outcome measure for the assessment of energy expenditure during walking. 83(12):1777-1782
Recommended Citation
Brady, Jill A.; Leman, Nicole C.; and Rispin, Karen
(2012)
"Gait evaluation of young adults wearing a Bledsoe-Extender-Plus© knee brace at two different degrees of flexion,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
4, Article 15.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss4/15