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Driving pedal reaction times after right transtibial amputations
Ben Meikle1, Michael Devlin, Tim Pauley
1Division of Physiatry, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Objectives:
To determine if right transtibial amputees have the potential to safely operate the foot pedals of a vehicle with their prosthetic foot, and to determine which of 4 driving techniques is associated with the fastest reaction times.
Design:
Repeated measures.
Setting:
Outpatient amputee clinic.
Participants:
Ten subjects with right-sided, transtibial amputations.
Intervention:
Brake pedal response times were measured using 4 different driving techniques: right-sided accelerator with (1) prosthesis operating both the accelerator and brake pedals, (2) prosthesis operating the accelerator and left foot operating the brake, (3) left foot operating both the accelerator and brake, and (4) left-sided accelerator with the left foot operating both the accelerator and brake.
Main Outcome Measures:
Reaction time, movement time, total response time, and pedal configuration preference.
Results:
Total response times were slowest using a 2-footed driving technique (P<.001). Total response times were comparable using a left-sided accelerator versus the prosthesis. Using the left foot to operate both the accelerator and brake in a conventional right-footed accelerator design led to the fastest reaction (P<.001) and total response times (P<.01), although it is unclear if this is a realistic driving technique for all amputees.
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that right transtibial amputees should be instructed not to drive with a 2-footed technique, and that they have similar pedal response times using their prosthesis when compared with a left-sided accelerator.
