Effect of an Intelligent Prosthesis (IP) on the walking ability of young transfemoral amputees: comparison of IP users with able-bodied people.

OBJECTIVE: To make a comparative study of energy expenditure and walking speeds between able-bodied people and young Intelligent Prosthesis (IP) users and to demonstrate the effect of IP on the walking ability of young amputees.

DESIGN: The test subjects were eight young traumatic transfemoral amputees. Fourteen able-bodied persons served as controls. All amputees used an IP, and they had all undergone a prosthetic rehabilitation program for 8 wk. IP users, who had completed the rehabilitation program, were instructed to walk at speeds of 30, 50, 70, 90, and 110 m/min. Measurements of energy expenditure while walking were taken. The most metabolically efficient waking speed was also determined.

RESULTS: On average, the IP users experienced an oxygen uptake that was 24.1% and 24.2% higher than those for the controls at speeds of 70 and 90 m/min, respectively. It was also determined that the most metabolically efficient walking speed for the IP users was the same as for the controls.

CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that young IP users who undergo an adequate prosthetic rehabilitation program can achieve remarkably improved walking performance. Young IP users could walk at the normal speeds of able-bodied people, with only around a 24% increase in energy expenditure.