Virtual Assessment of Functional Mobility in Lower Extremity Prosthesis Clients: An Exploratory Study

Objective

To investigate the relationship between patient perception of lower extremity function and a home-based virtual clinician assessment of mobility in lower limb prosthesis clients.

Design

Descriptive observational study using a clinician-administered functional mobility survey and timed Up and Go test to assess lower extremity function under supervision.

Setting

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant online virtual platform.

Participants

Twelve lower limb loss clients currently using prostheses, aged ≥19 years, not pregnant, and with no stroke, seizure disorder, or cancer.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Main outcomes were mobility survey scores and mean timed Up and Go duration.

Results

Most participants reported significant ease of completing basic indoor ambulation and toileting tasks (66%-75%) and significant difficulty in running or prolonged ambulation activities (83%) requiring use of lower limb prosthesis. Timed Up and Go test was faster (11.0±2.9 s) than the reference range for transtibial prosthesis users and negatively associated with self-reported lower extremity functional status (r=−.70, P=.02).

Conclusions

Self-reported movement with lower limb prostheses at home and evaluation of mobility via a virtual platform is a feasible assessment modality that may reduce the frequency of therapy visits, defray some rehabilitation costs, and minimize the travel burden to distant prosthetic clinics.