OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hip abductor strength-training for patients with unilateral transfemoral amputation. DESIGN: Single-blind, cross-over (AB/BA) trial with randomization. SUBJECTS: Seventeen patients with transfemoral amputation. METHODS: Subjects completed 8-week programs of twice weekly hip abductor strength training or arm ergometry. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either the experimental or active control intervention first. A physiotherapist blinded to group assignment conducted baseline and post-intervention assessments. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was selected as the primary outcome measure; secondary measures included the 2 Minute Walk (2MW), hip abductor strength, Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and prosthetic use. A two-way cross-over ANOVA was used for baseline and post-intervention treatment comparisons. RESULTS: There were no baseline differences between treatments for TUG, 2MW, ABC, Houghton scale, sitting or side-lying abductor strength (p > 0.05 for all), though supine strength was greater for the experimental treatment (p < 0.05). After 8-weeks of hip abductor strength training, there were significant treatment effects for TUG, ABC (p < 0.01 for both), 2MW (p < 0.05), sitting and side-lying abductor strength (p = 0.05 for both), but not for supine strength, prosthetic use, nor thigh girth measures (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that patients with unilateral transfemoral amputation can improve functional performance and balance confidence following intense hip abductor strength training.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher