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Balance confidence among people with lower-limb amputations
William C Miller1, Mark Speechley, A Barry Deathe
1Faculty of Medicine, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia, T325 Third Floor, Koerner Pavilion, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 2B5. bcmiller@telus.net
Physical Therapy
|August 31, 2002
Summary
Balance confidence is low in individuals with lower-limb amputations, especially those with vascular causes. This highlights a critical clinical concern for improving social activity and daily living.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Balance confidence is a key predictor of social engagement for individuals with lower-limb amputations.
- Previous research indicates a link between balance confidence and social activity in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify balance confidence in individuals with transtibial or transfemoral lower-limb amputations.
- To compare balance confidence between amputations resulting from vascular versus nonvascular causes.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 435 community-dwelling individuals with unilateral transfemoral or transtibial amputations.
- Participants' amputation etiology (vascular vs. nonvascular) and demographic data were collected.
- The Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale was used to measure balance confidence.
Main Results:
- The overall mean ABC Scale score was 63.8, indicating low balance confidence.
- Individuals with vascular amputations reported significantly lower scores (mean 54.1) than those with nonvascular amputations (mean 74.7).
- Age, sex, amputation cause, mobility device use, walking concentration, ADL limitations, depression, and fear of falling were associated with balance confidence.
Conclusions:
- Balance confidence is notably low in individuals with lower-limb amputations, particularly those with vascular etiologies.
- These findings underscore the clinical importance of addressing balance confidence to enhance functional outcomes.
- Further research and clinical interventions targeting balance confidence are warranted.