Evaluating fall event definitions relative to lower limb prosthesis users' lived experiences.

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation science
• Prosthetics and orthotics
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Existing fall and near-fall definitions may not fully encompass the experiences of lower limb prosthesis (LLP) users.
• Accurate definitions are crucial for effective data collection and research in fall prevention and rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate existing fall and near-fall definitions.
• To determine if these definitions adequately represent the lived experiences of LLP users.
• To propose revised definitions based on user experiences.

Main Methods:

• Conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 LLP users.
• Analyzed interview transcripts using deductive thematic analysis.
• Identified shared experiences to inform definition revisions.

Main Results:

• Falls can be initiated by factors beyond a simple loss of balance.
• Loss of balance and losing balance are perceived similarly by users.
• Falls are not exclusively defined by landing on the ground or floor.
• Catching oneself and recovering balance are distinct responses to a loss of balance.

Conclusions:

• Revised definitions for falls and near-falls were developed to better align with LLP users' experiences.
• A fall is defined as a loss of balance or sudden loss of support resulting in landing on a surface or object.
• A near-fall is defined as a loss of balance where the user recovers without landing on a surface or object.
• These updated definitions will enhance the accuracy, consistency, and comparability of fall data across studies.