Research Articles (Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine)

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Browsing Research Articles (Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine) by Subject "Children with disabilities -- Orientation and mobility"

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    Short-term effects of an active prosthetic solution on functional ability, level of activity and participation of children with unilateral transtibial amputations
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-12) Haywood, Gemma Jean; Lamberts, Robert Patrick; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Sport Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction. Children require ≥60 minutes of physical activity a day. Children with disabilities often find it challenging to reach this activity goal due to various factors, including task at hand, environment, and type of disability. The activity levels of children with a unilateral transtibial amputation (UTTA) are often dependent on their access to suitable prosthetic solutions. Although various prosthetic solutions are available, cost is a very real consideration. The more accurately the prosthesis mimics the working and appearance of a sound leg, the more expensive it generally is. Children from a low Socioeconomic Status (SES) background which measures economic and social position, do not have access to the latest prosthetic technology, consequently, they are less likely to meet their daily activity goals and/or attain optimal functional mobility. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine whether children, living in families with a low social economic status, could adapt to a new active prosthesis within a 4-week adaptation period. Methods. Eight participants (5 girls and 3 boys), ranging in ages from 6 to 16, were recruited from the Western Cape Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics, with a low SES. Functional mobility was assessed via 5 functional tests. Daily activity and participation were determined using a Polar Loop activity tracker for one week after each test date and the PEDI-CAT questionnaire. Participants were first tested in their old prosthesis, a Solid Ankle Cushioned Heel (SACH) prosthesis, before being fitted and tested with a new Össur active prosthesis which better suited their activity demands. Results. Short-term results were obtained after 4 weeks of wearing the new prosthesis. In terms of functional mobility and level of activity, results seemed like outcomes attained when wearing the old prosthesis. Discussion. Findings of this study show that children with a UTTA can adapt quickly to a new prosthesis. In the functional movement tests, activity tracker and PEDI-CAT, no significance was found between the two feet, assessed balance variables returned to pre-fitment values after 4 weeks. In line with another study, the iTUG tests revealed no benefits. In line with other studies, gait parameters and iTUDS remained the same. Neither PEDI-CAT nor the activity tracking revealed significant values. However, this could be testament that the participants in this study were limited to the 4 weeks of data analyses and after only 4 weeks already had a similar outcome to their old feet.