Trial Outcomes & Findings for Does Walking Performance Improve When Veterans With Leg Amputations Are Given Visual Feedback? (NCT NCT03974945)

NCT ID: NCT03974945

Last Updated: 2025-07-15

Results Overview

The investigators measured peak propulsive horizontal ground reaction force (hGRFpeak) from the affected leg while participants with a transtibial amputation walked at 1.25 m/s for 18 trials that were 5 minutes each over 3 separate days using an elastic energy storage and return (ESAR) and stance-phase powered ankle-foot (BiOM) prosthesis. During the first trial we measured their baseline hGRFpeak and then for the subsequent trials we provided a trial with visual feedback (FB) targets of hGRFpeak relative to their baseline (BL) trial using a monitor placed at eye level as well as VF of symmetric (Sym) targets of hGRFpeak from both legs and then removed the visual feedback during a retention (RT) trial that immediately followed the VF trial. The order of trials was randomized and included targets of 0, +20, and +40% of baseline hGRFpeak as well as a Sym target of hGRFpeak. Thus, participants performed 9 trials per prosthesis.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Target enrollment

12 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

18 trials that are 5 minutes in length

Results posted on

2025-07-15

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Participants With Transtibial Amputation
The investigators will recruit participants with unilateral transtibial amputations who are at or above a K3 Medicare functional classification level (MFCL), and 18-60 years old. A K3 MFCL means that a person has the ability or potential for ambulation with variable cadence. A person at K3 MFCL is a typical community ambulator who has the ability to traverse most environmental barriers and may have vocational, therapeutic or exercise activity that demands prosthetic use beyond simple locomotion. Passive-elastic prosthetic foot: The investigators will measure the biomechanics (motion, forces, and muscle activity) and metabolic rates while subjects walk using their own passive-elastic prosthesis with and without visual feedback of peak propulsive force targets. Powered ankle-foot prosthesis: The investigators will measure the biomechanics (motion, forces, and muscle activity) and metabolic rates while subjects walk using a battery-powered ankle-foot prosthesis with and without visual feedback of peak propulsive force targets.
Overall Study
STARTED
12
Overall Study
COMPLETED
12
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Does Walking Performance Improve When Veterans With Leg Amputations Are Given Visual Feedback?

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Participants With Transtibial Amputation
n=12 Participants
The investigators will recruit participants with unilateral transtibial amputations who are at or above a K3 Medicare functional classification level (MFCL), and 18-60 years old. A K3 MFCL means that a person has the ability or potential for ambulation with variable cadence. A person at K3 MFCL is a typical community ambulator who has the ability to traverse most environmental barriers and may have vocational, therapeutic or exercise activity that demands prosthetic use beyond simple locomotion. Passive-elastic prosthetic foot: The investigators will measure the biomechanics (motion, forces, and muscle activity) and metabolic rates while subjects walk using their own passive-elastic prosthesis with and without visual feedback of peak propulsive force targets. Powered ankle-foot prosthesis: The investigators will measure the biomechanics (motion, forces, and muscle activity) and metabolic rates while subjects walk using a battery-powered ankle-foot prosthesis with and without visual feedback of peak propulsive force targets.
Age, Continuous
40.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.2 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
8 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
10 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
12 Participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 18 trials that are 5 minutes in length

The investigators measured peak propulsive horizontal ground reaction force (hGRFpeak) from the affected leg while participants with a transtibial amputation walked at 1.25 m/s for 18 trials that were 5 minutes each over 3 separate days using an elastic energy storage and return (ESAR) and stance-phase powered ankle-foot (BiOM) prosthesis. During the first trial we measured their baseline hGRFpeak and then for the subsequent trials we provided a trial with visual feedback (FB) targets of hGRFpeak relative to their baseline (BL) trial using a monitor placed at eye level as well as VF of symmetric (Sym) targets of hGRFpeak from both legs and then removed the visual feedback during a retention (RT) trial that immediately followed the VF trial. The order of trials was randomized and included targets of 0, +20, and +40% of baseline hGRFpeak as well as a Sym target of hGRFpeak. Thus, participants performed 9 trials per prosthesis.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
ESAR - BL
n=12 Participants
Baseline no feedback
ESAR - 0FB
n=12 Participants
Baseline feedback
ESAR - 0RT
n=12 Participants
Baseline retention
ESAR - 20FB
n=12 Participants
+20% feedback
ESAR - 20RT
n=12 Participants
+20% retention
ESAR - 40FB
n=12 Participants
+40% feedback
ESAR - 40RT
n=12 Participants
+40% retention
ESAR - SymFB
n=12 Participants
Symmetry feedback
ESAR - SymRT
n=12 Participants
Symmetry retention
BiOM - BL
n=12 Participants
Baseline no feedback
BiOM - 0FB
n=12 Participants
Baseline feedback
BiOM - 0RT
n=12 Participants
Baseline retention
BiOM - 20FB
n=12 Participants
+20% feedback
BiOM - 20RT
n=12 Participants
+20% retention
BiOM - 40FB
n=12 Participants
+40% feedback
BiOM - 40RT
n=12 Participants
+40% retention
BiOM - SymFB
n=12 Participants
Symmetry feedback
BiOM - SymRT
n=12 Participants
Symmetry retention
Affected Leg Peak Propulsive Horizontal Ground Reaction Force
0.151 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.022
0.145 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.019
0.166 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.021
0.150 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.022
0.175 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.020
0.147 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.018
0.145 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.022
0.171 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.031
0.146 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.022
0.169 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.011
0.160 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.011
0.178 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.021
0.161 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.011
0.186 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.020
0.166 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.014
0.157 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.018
0.174 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.019
0.172 proportion of body weight
Standard Deviation 0.024

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 18 trials that are 5 minutes in length

The investigators measured net metabolic power while participants with a transtibial amputation walked at 1.25 m/s for 18 trials that were 5 minutes each over 3 separate days using an elastic energy storage and return (ESAR) and stance-phase powered ankle-foot (BiOM) prosthesis. During the first trial we measured their baseline peak propulsive horizontal ground reaction force (hGRFpeak) from the affected leg and then for the subsequent trials we provided a trial with visual feedback (FB) targets of hGRFpeak relative to their baseline (BL) trial using a monitor placed at eye level as well as VF of symmetric (Sym) targets of hGRFpeak from both legs and then removed the visual feedback during a retention (RT) trial that immediately followed the VF trial. The order of trials was randomized and included targets of 0, +20, and +40% of baseline hGRFpeak as well as a Sym target of hGRFpeak. Thus, participants performed 9 trials per prosthesis.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
ESAR - BL
n=12 Participants
Baseline no feedback
ESAR - 0FB
n=12 Participants
Baseline feedback
ESAR - 0RT
n=12 Participants
Baseline retention
ESAR - 20FB
n=12 Participants
+20% feedback
ESAR - 20RT
n=12 Participants
+20% retention
ESAR - 40FB
n=12 Participants
+40% feedback
ESAR - 40RT
n=12 Participants
+40% retention
ESAR - SymFB
n=12 Participants
Symmetry feedback
ESAR - SymRT
n=12 Participants
Symmetry retention
BiOM - BL
n=12 Participants
Baseline no feedback
BiOM - 0FB
n=12 Participants
Baseline feedback
BiOM - 0RT
n=12 Participants
Baseline retention
BiOM - 20FB
n=12 Participants
+20% feedback
BiOM - 20RT
n=12 Participants
+20% retention
BiOM - 40FB
n=12 Participants
+40% feedback
BiOM - 40RT
n=12 Participants
+40% retention
BiOM - SymFB
n=12 Participants
Symmetry feedback
BiOM - SymRT
n=12 Participants
Symmetry retention
Net Metabolic Power
2.967 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.345
3.141 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.275
3.020 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.230
3.338 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.422
3.124 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.316
3.478 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.488
3.168 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.409
3.330 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.554
3.062 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.317
2.852 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.413
2.979 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.436
2.938 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.425
3.268 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.561
3.022 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.473
3.314 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.540
3.013 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.418
2.974 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.539
2.862 Watts per kg
Standard Deviation 0.399

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 18 trials that are 5 minutes in length

The investigators measured ground reaction forces and calculated individual leg work during step to step transitions while participants with a transtibial amputation walked at 1.25 m/s for 18 trials that were 5 minutes each over 3 separate days using an elastic energy storage and return (ESAR) and stance-phase powered ankle-foot (BiOM) prosthesis. During the first trial we measured their baseline peak propulsive horizontal ground reaction force (hGRFpeak) from the affected leg and then for the subsequent trials we provided a trial with visual feedback (FB) targets of hGRFpeak relative to their baseline (BL) trial using a monitor placed at eye level as well as VF of symmetric (Sym) targets of hGRFpeak from both legs and then removed the visual feedback during a retention (RT) trial that immediately followed the VF trial. The order of trials was randomized and included targets of 0, +20, and +40% of baseline hGRFpeak as well as a Sym target of hGRFpeak.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
ESAR - BL
n=12 Participants
Baseline no feedback
ESAR - 0FB
n=12 Participants
Baseline feedback
ESAR - 0RT
n=12 Participants
Baseline retention
ESAR - 20FB
n=12 Participants
+20% feedback
ESAR - 20RT
n=12 Participants
+20% retention
ESAR - 40FB
n=12 Participants
+40% feedback
ESAR - 40RT
n=12 Participants
+40% retention
ESAR - SymFB
n=12 Participants
Symmetry feedback
ESAR - SymRT
n=12 Participants
Symmetry retention
BiOM - BL
n=12 Participants
Baseline no feedback
BiOM - 0FB
n=12 Participants
Baseline feedback
BiOM - 0RT
n=12 Participants
Baseline retention
BiOM - 20FB
n=12 Participants
+20% feedback
BiOM - 20RT
n=12 Participants
+20% retention
BiOM - 40FB
n=12 Participants
+40% feedback
BiOM - 40RT
n=12 Participants
+40% retention
BiOM - SymFB
n=12 Participants
Symmetry feedback
BiOM - SymRT
n=12 Participants
Symmetry retention
Trailing Affected Leg Positive Work
9.859 Joules
Standard Deviation 3.392
10.321 Joules
Standard Deviation 4.325
10.773 Joules
Standard Deviation 4.326
10.212 Joules
Standard Deviation 4.419
11.203 Joules
Standard Deviation 4.652
10.319 Joules
Standard Deviation 4.463
9.592 Joules
Standard Deviation 4.212
11.384 Joules
Standard Deviation 3.941
10.410 Joules
Standard Deviation 4.642
14.624 Joules
Standard Deviation 5.800
14.108 Joules
Standard Deviation 4.835
15.211 Joules
Standard Deviation 6.363
13.597 Joules
Standard Deviation 5.413
15.274 Joules
Standard Deviation 6.466
14.071 Joules
Standard Deviation 4.450
12.818 Joules
Standard Deviation 4.203
14.730 Joules
Standard Deviation 6.242
15.078 Joules
Standard Deviation 5.575

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 18 trials that are 5 minutes in length

The investigators measured ground reaction forces and calculated individual leg work during step to step transitions while participants with a transtibial amputation walked at 1.25 m/s for 18 trials that were 5 minutes each over 3 separate days using an elastic energy storage and return (ESAR) and stance-phase powered ankle-foot (BiOM) prosthesis. During the first trial we measured their baseline peak propulsive horizontal ground reaction force (hGRFpeak) from the affected leg and then for the subsequent trials we provided a trial with visual feedback (FB) targets of hGRFpeak relative to their baseline (BL) trial using a monitor placed at eye level as well as VF of symmetric (Sym) targets of hGRFpeak from both legs and then removed the visual feedback during a retention (RT) trial that immediately followed the VF trial. The order of trials was randomized and included targets of 0, +20, and +40% of baseline hGRFpeak as well as a Sym target of hGRFpeak.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
ESAR - BL
n=12 Participants
Baseline no feedback
ESAR - 0FB
n=12 Participants
Baseline feedback
ESAR - 0RT
n=12 Participants
Baseline retention
ESAR - 20FB
n=12 Participants
+20% feedback
ESAR - 20RT
n=12 Participants
+20% retention
ESAR - 40FB
n=12 Participants
+40% feedback
ESAR - 40RT
n=12 Participants
+40% retention
ESAR - SymFB
n=12 Participants
Symmetry feedback
ESAR - SymRT
n=12 Participants
Symmetry retention
BiOM - BL
n=12 Participants
Baseline no feedback
BiOM - 0FB
n=12 Participants
Baseline feedback
BiOM - 0RT
n=12 Participants
Baseline retention
BiOM - 20FB
n=12 Participants
+20% feedback
BiOM - 20RT
n=12 Participants
+20% retention
BiOM - 40FB
n=12 Participants
+40% feedback
BiOM - 40RT
n=12 Participants
+40% retention
BiOM - SymFB
n=12 Participants
Symmetry feedback
BiOM - SymRT
n=12 Participants
Symmetry retention
Leading Unaffected Leg Negative Work
-15.373 Joules
Standard Deviation 4.191
-14.438 Joules
Standard Deviation 4.394
-15.981 Joules
Standard Deviation 6.225
-14.363 Joules
Standard Deviation 4.590
-17.781 Joules
Standard Deviation 7.167
-14.018 Joules
Standard Deviation 5.195
-14.389 Joules
Standard Deviation 4.451
-15.350 Joules
Standard Deviation 6.056
-14.223 Joules
Standard Deviation 5.517
-15.781 Joules
Standard Deviation 6.674
-15.011 Joules
Standard Deviation 6.284
-17.975 Joules
Standard Deviation 5.403
-14.713 Joules
Standard Deviation 5.840
-18.475 Joules
Standard Deviation 7.963
-16.032 Joules
Standard Deviation 6.839
-15.507 Joules
Standard Deviation 5.169
-15.755 Joules
Standard Deviation 6.950
-14.918 Joules
Standard Deviation 5.957

Adverse Events

Participants With Transtibial Amputation

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Dr. Alena Grabowski

Rocky Mountain Regional Department of Veterans Affairs

Phone: 303-492-5208

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place