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Published on: May 8, 2014
Improved Self-Reported Comfort, Stability, and Limb Temperature Regulation with an Immediate Fit, Adjustable
Chloe McCloskey1, Jessica Kenia1, Frances Shofer2
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; Philadelphia, PA.
Objective:
The purpose of this investigation was to assess participants' self-reported satisfaction with an adjustable, immediate fit transtibial prosthetic system as compared to their conventionally fabricated prosthetic device.
Design:
A prospective study involving a two-week single-group pre-post intervention design.
Setting:
Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic of a university hospital.
Participants:
Adults (N=27) with transtibial limb loss.
Intervention:
Participants were fit with the iFIT prosthetic system and instructed to wear it for a two-week evaluation period.
Main Outcome Measure:
A modified PEQ scale was completed on the participant's conventional prosthetic during the initial visit and the iFIT system after the two weeks.
Results:
Twenty-seven persons with lower limb loss were enrolled. Three were lost to follow up leaving twenty-four subjects with completed data. Three subjects had recent amputations with no conventional device for comparison. The Modified PEQ scores were significantly higher for the iFIT prosthetic in comparison to their conventional device (29.18 [SD= 4.63] vs 23.82 [SD=6.38], p <0.01). Subjects were also found to perceive significantly better temperature control with the iFIT prosthetic system (4.19 [SD= 0.68] vs 2.97 [SD=1.02], p <0.001). Subjects did not report any skin breakdown, prosthetic issues, or falls.
Conclusion:
This immediate fit, adjustable transtibial prosthesis demonstrated significantly better patient satisfaction and temperature perception compared to conventional devices. These results are consistent with previous findings and further support the efficacy of an immediate fit adjustable transtibial prosthetic system. Longer term studies in the United States and internationally are underway to assess the durability and efficacy of this new prosthesis in different populations and settings.
