Aim

1. Role of balance ability and confidence in prosthetic use for mobility of people with lower-limb loss Christopher Kevin Wong, PT, PhD; Christine C. Chen, OTR/L, ScD; Stephany A. Benoy, PT, DPT; Rana T. Rahal, PT, DPT; Wren M. Blackwell, PT, DPT

2. Aim • Analyze relationships among prosthetic use for mobility, balance ability and confidence, and amputation-related variables. • Determine multivariate models to identify level of prosthetic use. • Relevance • For people with lower-limb loss, impaired balance is common and limits prosthetic function within the community.

3. Method • Subjects: • 46 community-dwelling adults with limb loss of varied levels and etiologies. • Primary outcome: • Self-reported prosthetic use for mobility (Houghton Scale). • Procedure: • Subjects were interviewed and completed questionnaire and balance assessment during single session.

4. Results • 3-variable linear regression model (balance ability, balance confidence, and years since amputation) explained 64% of variance in Houghton score. • Logistic regression model correctly differentiated (89% of time) between people who had or had not reached satisfactory prosthetic use. • Further reduced to correctly classify 87% of cases with: • 3 tasks (retrieving objects from floor, turning to look behind, and placing alternate foot on stool). • Balance confidence. • Number of comorbidities.

5. Conclusion • Logistic models that include balance ability, balance confidence, and years since amputation can identify level of prosthetic use in people with lower-limb loss. • Increased balance confidence and ability when retrieving objects from floor, turning to look behind, and placing alternate floor on stool were most indicative of successful prosthetic use for mobility.