AmputationFOPLLNCT03670004
Falls in Older Persons With Limb Loss
An observational study of Amputation and Elderly, run by VA Office of Research and Development at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Lower limb prosthesis users are known to be at a substantially increased fall risk compared to able-bodied individuals. The interaction between increased fall risk, reduced balance confidence and high prevalence of a fear of falling often leads to restricted mobility and loss of independence. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 to 85 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Amputation, Elderly
- How many people
- 23 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 2 Feb 2017to 31 Oct 2020
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 65 to 85 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Older adult
Study population: Older ambulatory individuals with or without unilateral below-knee amputation
Who may be able to join
- Inclusion criteria for the recruitment of subjects with below knee amputation include:
- Transtibial amputation
- Daily use of their clinically-prescribed prosthesis for ambulation without an assistive device
- Classified as Medicare Functional Classification Level K2- defined as a patient who "has the ability or potential for ambulation with the ability to traverse low-level environmental barriers such as curbs, stairs, or uneven surfaces - a typical community ambulator"
- Experience walking with a prosthesis for at least one year
- Residuum and amputated side in good condition (e.g., no adherent scars, lesions, ulcers, infections)
Show all 12Show fewer
- Normal or corrected vision
- Able to walk a 10 m distance and stand quietly for 40 seconds without undue fatigue or health risk
- Inclusion criteria for the recruitment of able-bodied controls include:
- Normal or corrected vision
- Able to walk a 10 m distance and stand quietly for 40 seconds without undue fatigue or health risk
- Suffered one or no falls in the previous 12 months
Who cannot join
- Exclusion criteria for all recruited subjects (i.e., limb loss and control) include:
- Musculoskeletal (apart from amputation in the case of amputee subjects) and/or vestibular pathologies that would affect balance and/or stability
- Currently on medication that might affect proprioception and/or balance (e.g., drugs that are ototoxic, such as certain Aminoglycosides and pain killers)
- Cognitive deficits that preclude understanding of the instructions required to conduct the test
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, 60612
About this study
Official title: Sensory-Motor Mechanisms Underlying Fall Risk in Transtibial Amputees
Lower limb prosthesis users are known to be at a substantially increased fall risk compared to able-bodied individuals. The interaction between increased fall risk, reduced balance confidence and high prevalence of a fear of falling often leads to restricted mobility and loss of independence. Critically, the cause of these falls and the role that inherent balance plays in fall risk is poorly understood. This study proposes to identify key differences in balance and mobility between older below-knee prosthesis users and able-bodied individuals. By further understanding the differences between these groups and relationships between fall risk and various outcome measures, intervention techniques can be developed to improve functional balance. An improvement in upright balance will reduce the occurrence of falls and fall related injuries in this veteran population, as well as increase their participation in daily activities and improve their quality of life.
Read the detailed description
Previous studies have shown that persons with transtibial amputations (TTA) are at a substantially increased risk of falling as compared to able-bodied age-matched controls and have reduced confidence in their balance, both contributing to their restricted mobility and daily activity. This risk increases with progressing age, as aging affects musculoskeletal and somatosensory systems that are vital to controlling upright balance (i.e., maintaining the body center-of-mass (BCoM) within the limits of the base-of-support) and are already compromised in persons with TTA. An important consequence of elevated fall incidence is an increased risk of fall-related injuries that may lead to lost participation and independence. The effects of reduced sensory-motor function on upright balance in older adults has been extensively studied and led to development of effective assessment tools and intervention strategies to minimize fall risk. However, the dearth of similar studies and relatively poor understanding of the effects of additional complications from TTA on upright balance have significantly hampered progress towards addressing this important concern for Veterans with TTA. Consequently, this limits knowledge of predictive factors of falls among these prosthesis users and for informing therapeutic interventions that enhance functional balance. Therefore, the primary objective of this research is to develop an improved understanding of the sensory-motor mechanisms underlying upright balance and fall risk in older Veterans with TTA. The proposed study will compare differences between two age- and gender-matched groups: 1) older unilateral prosthesis users and 2) able-bodied controls.
- Conditions
- Amputation, Elderly
- Keywords
- Artificial Limbs, Amputation, Accidental Falls, Stability, Balance, Gait, Electromyography
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Unilateral Below Knee Amputation | Individuals who walk with a below knee prosthesis | |
| Non-Impaired | Able-bodied controls |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Foot's Height During the Swing Phase of Walking (i.e., Foot Clearance) Measured in Centimeter
Foot clearance of self-selected normal and fast speed walking, calculated as the distance (cm) between the toe and ground as measured with an optical motion capture system.
Measured: 1 month
Center of Pressure Sway Area During Eyes Open or Closed as Measured Through a Force Plate During Standing and Calculated as Centimeters Squared
Center of pressure sway area during eyes open or closed, calculated as the area (cm*cm) covered by the center of pressure position during standing as measured with a force plate.
Measured: 1 month
Gait Muscle Activation Effort as Measured by Sensors and Integrating Measured Voltage With Respect to Time as to be Calculated as Millivolts Times Seconds
Integrated Electromyography patterns of leg muscles during self-selected normal and fast speed walking as a proxy measure of muscle effort, calculated from integrating the muscle activity measured by sensors as voltage over time (mv*sec)
Measured: 1 month
Secondary outcomes (1)
Falls
Number of falls during 12 months prospectively
Measured: 1 year
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Sep 2018
- Study start2 Feb 2017
- Primary completion31 Oct 2020
- Study completion31 Oct 2020
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for AmputationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by VA Office of Research and DevelopmentThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 23 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- VA Office of Research and Development
- Sponsor type
- US federal agency
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Matthew J. Major, PhD, Principal investigator, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03670004
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- C1322-W
- Other IDs
- IK2RX001322
- Acronym
- FOPLL
- Status last verified
- Apr 2022
- First submitted
- 11 Sep 2018
- Last updated
- 7 Nov 2022
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Nov 2022. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Sensory-Motor Mechanisms Underlying Fall Risk in Transtibial Amputees
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03670004
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FOPLL / C1322-W
- Conditions
- Amputation, Elderly
- Keywords
- Artificial Limbs, Amputation, Accidental Falls, Stability, Balance, Gait, Electromyography
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 23 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- VA Office of Research and DevelopmentUS federal agency
- Study start
- 2 Feb 2017 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Oct 2020 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Oct 2020 (actual)
- First posted
- 13 Sep 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 7 Nov 2022
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Lower limb prosthesis users are known to be at a substantially increased fall risk compared to able-bodied individuals. The interaction between increased fall risk, reduced balance confidence and high prevalence of a fear of falling often leads to restricted mobility and loss of independence. Critically, the cause of these falls and the role that inherent balance plays in fall risk is poorly understood. This study proposes to identify key differences in balance and mobility between older below-knee prosthesis users and able-bodied individuals. By further understanding the differences between these groups and relationships between fall risk and various outcome measures, intervention techniques can be developed to improve functional balance. An improvement in upright balance will reduce the occurrence of falls and fall related injuries in this veteran population, as well as increase their participation in daily activities and improve their quality of life.
Detailed description
Previous studies have shown that persons with transtibial amputations (TTA) are at a substantially increased risk of falling as compared to able-bodied age-matched controls and have reduced confidence in their balance, both contributing to their restricted mobility and daily activity. This risk increases with progressing age, as aging affects musculoskeletal and somatosensory systems that are vital to controlling upright balance (i.e., maintaining the body center-of-mass (BCoM) within the limits of the base-of-support) and are already compromised in persons with TTA. An important consequence of elevated fall incidence is an increased risk of fall-related injuries that may lead to lost participation and independence. The effects of reduced sensory-motor function on upright balance in older adults has been extensively studied and led to development of effective assessment tools and intervention strategies to minimize fall risk. However, the dearth of similar studies and relatively poor understanding of the effects of additional complications from TTA on upright balance have significantly hampered progress towards addressing this important concern for Veterans with TTA. Consequently, this limits knowledge of predictive factors of falls among these prosthesis users and for informing therapeutic interventions that enhance functional balance. Therefore, the primary objective of this research is to develop an improved understanding of the sensory-motor mechanisms underlying upright balance and fall risk in older Veterans with TTA. The proposed study will compare differences between two age- and gender-matched groups: 1) older unilateral prosthesis users and 2) able-bodied controls.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Unilateral Below Knee Amputation | – | –Individuals who walk with a below knee prosthesis |
| Non-Impaired | – | –Able-bodied controls |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 to 85 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
- Study population
- Older ambulatory individuals with or without unilateral below-knee amputation
Key inclusion criteria (12 listed)
- Transtibial amputation
- Daily use of their clinically-prescribed prosthesis for ambulation without an assistive device
- Classified as Medicare Functional Classification Level K2- defined as a patient who "has the ability or potential for ambulation with the ability to traverse low-level environmental barriers such as curbs, stairs, or uneven surfaces - a typical community ambulator"
- Experience walking with a prosthesis for at least one year
- Residuum and amputated side in good condition (e.g., no adherent scars, lesions, ulcers, infections)
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Musculoskeletal (apart from amputation in the case of amputee subjects) and/or vestibular pathologies that would affect balance and/or stability
- Currently on medication that might affect proprioception and/or balance (e.g., drugs that are ototoxic, such as certain Aminoglycosides and pain killers)
- Cognitive deficits that preclude understanding of the instructions required to conduct the test
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Foot's Height During the Swing Phase of Walking (i.e., Foot Clearance) Measured in Centimeter
Time frame: 1 month
Foot clearance of self-selected normal and fast speed walking, calculated as the distance (cm) between the toe and ground as measured with an optical motion capture system.
Center of Pressure Sway Area During Eyes Open or Closed as Measured Through a Force Plate During Standing and Calculated as Centimeters Squared
Time frame: 1 month
Center of pressure sway area during eyes open or closed, calculated as the area (cm*cm) covered by the center of pressure position during standing as measured with a force plate.
Gait Muscle Activation Effort as Measured by Sensors and Integrating Measured Voltage With Respect to Time as to be Calculated as Millivolts Times Seconds
Time frame: 1 month
Integrated Electromyography patterns of leg muscles during self-selected normal and fast speed walking as a proxy measure of muscle effort, calculated from integrating the muscle activity measured by sensors as voltage over time (mv*sec)
1 secondary outcome
Falls
Time frame: 1 year
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Nov 2022.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Matthew J. Major, PhD principal investigator
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Amputation and Elderly, run by VA Office of Research and Development at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 12 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Nov 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 7 Nov 2022). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Foot's Height During the Swing Phase of Walking (i.e., Foot Clearance) Measured in Centimeter (time frame: 1 month). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Nov 2022; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 29 Oct 2026.