Article

Few studies have explored the effects of exercise on gait performance
in people with lower limb amputations. OBJECTIVES:
To (1) summarize the effects
of exercise programs on gait performance and (2) assess the overall quality of
the evidence for adults ambulating with leg prostheses. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic
review. METHODS: Six databases were searched for one- and two-group studies
published through June 2013 reporting effects of exercise on gait speed, a
universal measure of performance in lower limb prosthetic users. The search
adhered to a predetermined protocol following Cochrane Collaboration guidelines.
RESULTS: In all, 623 citations were reviewed and eight studies included. The quality level of the combined evidence was low with few randomized control trials
and multiple sources of bias evident within the heterogeneous group of studies.
The 11 exercise programs, including three control conditions, demonstrated small
to large effect size improvements in self-selected gait speed. Use of exercise to
improve gait speed was supported by low-quality level evidence, with low-moderate
quality evidence to suggest that specific functional exercise programs were more
effective than supervised walking. CONCLUSION: Using exercise to improve gait
speed in people with lower limb amputation received a B grade recommendation.
Future high-quality research is required. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Supervised walking,
muscle strengthening, balance exercises, gait training, and functional training
programs demonstrated small to large effect size gait performance improvements in
people with lower limb amputation. Self-selected gait speed was the most
consistent outcome measure. Exercise programs emphasizing resisted gait and
functional training were more effective than supervised walking.
CI - (c) The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS