Transfemoral Socket Design and Muscle Function

NCT04212299 | Completed Results FDA Device

• 2 other identifiers: 2019-0725W81XWH1910507
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 5
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The objective of this pilot research project is to evaluate the effect of prosthetic socket design on amputated limb hip muscle strength and endurance in Service members, Veterans, and civilians who use above-the-knee prostheses. Traditional above-the-knee socket designs provide pelvic support that interferes with hip motion. They may also reduce the effort required from amputated limb hip muscles to stabilize the hip and amputated limb, risking further loss of muscle mass and strength beyond that due to amputation. Long-standing use of above-the-knee sockets with pelvic support may therefore intensify amputated limb muscle loss and weakness, leading to challenges with walking and balance, increasing the effort required to walk, and contributing to degenerative changes in the hips and knees. Alternative socket designs that lessen the loss of muscle mass and strength are therefore required. The investigators have developed a new socket without pelvic support for above-the-knee prosthesis users called the Northwestern University Flexible Sub-Ischial Suction (NU-FlexSIS) Socket. This new socket design increases user comfort and is often preferred by users over sockets with pelvic support. This new socket does not lessen the mechanical function of the socket, or walking and balance performance. Our recent research suggests that walking with this new socket may also increase amputated limb hip muscle size. However, more research is needed to demonstrate that this new socket design improves amputated limb hip muscle strength and endurance, leading to better function. A socket design that increases amputated limb hip muscle strength and endurance would provide a simple way to restore amputated limb hip muscle weakness in above-the-knee prosthesis users. Despite a considerable decrease in hip muscle size and strength due to amputation surgery, amputated limb hip muscles are expected to compensate for the loss of knee and ankle function by providing stability and propulsion during walking. Walking in the new socket design without pelvic support is expected to increase amputated limb hip muscle strength and endurance, providing an appealing alternative to traditional resistance training in order to retain hip muscle strength. Unlike traditional resistance training, using this new socket design would not require additional time or equipment, and may be effective just by walking in the home, community, or workplace. Due to existing infrastructure (e.g., ongoing clinical adoption of the NU-FlexSIS Socket, existing instructional materials and courses for fabrication and fitting of the NU-FlexSIS Socket, as well as a continuing partnership with Chicago's largest provider of prosthetic clinical care), the investigators anticipate being able to translate our research results to clinical practice by the end of the project period. The investigators expect the results of the proposed pilot research project to directly and positively benefit the health and well-being of Service members, Veterans, and civilians who are above-the-knee prosthesis users. Benefits of increasing amputated limb hip muscle strength and endurance may include: i) improved control over the prosthesis, ii) better balance, iii) reduced effort to walk, and iv) protection against joint degeneration. For Service members these benefits could improve their performance on challenging and/or uneven ground, and increase the distance and speed they can walk or run. For Veterans, these benefits could lead to greater independence during activities of daily living, and fewer falls, reducing the physical and emotional burden on family members and caregivers.

Conditions

Amputation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (15)

• Residual Limb Hip Muscle Peak Torque at Baseline

  Hip flexor, extensor, adductor and abductor muscle strength will be measured in transfemoral prosthesis users using a motor-driven isokinetic dynamometer. Muscular strength will be assessed via average peak torque (i.e., highest torque) across the first three repetitions of 12.

  Baseline

• Residual Limb Hip Muscle Peak Torque at 8-weeks

  Hip flexor, extensor, adductor and abductor muscle strength will be measured in transfemoral prosthesis users using a motor-driven isokinetic dynamometer. Muscular strength will be assessed via average peak torque (i.e., highest torque) across the first three repetitions of 12. Comparison will be made to baseline measure.

  8 weeks after intervention

• Residual Limb Hip Muscle Peak Torque at 42-weeks

  Hip flexor, extensor, adductor and abductor muscle strength will be measured in transfemoral prosthesis users using a motor-driven isokinetic dynamometer. Muscular strength will be assessed via average peak torque (i.e., highest torque) across the first three repetitions of 12. Comparison will be made to baseline measure.

  42 weeks after intervention

• Residual Limb Hip Muscle Endurance at Baseline

  Hip flexor, extensor, adductor and abductor muscle endurance will be measured in transfemoral prosthesis users using a motor-driven isokinetic dynamometer. Muscular endurance will be assessed via a fatigue index, calculated as a percentage of the difference between total work performed during the first and last 3 repetitions divided by total work over the first 3 repetitions. A higher fatigue index will be taken as evidence of reduced muscular endurance.

  Baseline

• Residual Limb Hip Muscle Endurance at 8-weeks

  Hip flexor, extensor, adductor and abductor muscle endurance will be measured in transfemoral prosthesis users using a motor-driven isokinetic dynamometer. Muscular endurance will be assessed via a fatigue index, calculated as a percentage of the difference between total work performed during the first and last 3 repetitions divided by total work over the first 3 repetitions. A higher fatigue index will be taken as evidence of reduced muscular endurance. Comparison will be made to baseline measure.

  8 weeks after intervention

• Residual Limb Hip Muscle Endurance at 42-weeks

  Hip flexor, extensor, adductor and abductor muscle endurance will be measured in transfemoral prosthesis users using a motor-driven isokinetic dynamometer. Muscular endurance will be assessed via a fatigue index, calculated as a percentage of the difference between total work performed during the first and last 3 repetitions divided by total work over the first 3 repetitions. A higher fatigue index will be taken as evidence of reduced muscular endurance. Comparison will be made to baseline measure.

  42 weeks after intervention

• Residual Limb Hip Muscle Duration at Baseline

  Electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from transfemoral prosthesis users' residual limb muscles while walking. The duration of time each hip muscle was active during a stride was calculated as the percentage of the gait cycle (i.e., heel-strike to heel-strike) for which that EMG signal was above a baseline value (min: 0%, max: 100%). The larger the percentage of the gait cycle that a muscle was deemed to be active, the greater its duration.

  Baseline

• Residual Limb Hip Muscle Duration at 8-weeks

  Electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from transfemoral prosthesis users' residual limb muscles while walking. The duration of time each hip muscle was active during a stride was calculated as the percentage of the gait cycle (i.e., heel-strike to heel-strike) for which that EMG signal was above a baseline value (min: 0%, max: 100%). The larger the percentage of the gait cycle that a muscle was deemed to be active, the greater its duration.

  8 weeks after intervention

• Residual Limb Hip Muscle Duration at at 42-weeks

  Electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from transfemoral prosthesis users' residual limb muscles while walking. The duration of time each hip muscle was active during a stride was calculated as the percentage of the gait cycle (i.e., heel-strike to heel-strike) for which that EMG signal was above a baseline value (min: 0%, max: 100%). The larger the percentage of the gait cycle that a muscle was deemed to be active, the greater its duration.

  42 weeks

• Residual Limb Hip Muscle Integrated Area at Baseline

  Electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from transfemoral prosthesis users' residual limb muscles while walking. The total amount of hip muscle activity was calculated as the integrated area under the EMG signal during a gait cycle (i.e., heel-strike to heel-strike). Each EMG signal was normalized (i.e., divided by its maximum value across all the gait cycles and multiple by 100. The integrated areas is therefore reported as a percentage of that maximum (min: 0%, max: 100%). The larger the integrated area the more the muscle was deemed to be active.

  Baseline

• Residual Limb Hip Muscle Integrated Area at 8-weeks

  Electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from transfemoral prosthesis users' residual limb muscles while walking. The total amount of hip muscle activity was calculated as the integrated area under the EMG signal during a gait cycle (i.e., heel-strike to heel-strike). Each EMG signal was normalized (i.e., divided by its maximum value across all the gait cycles and multiple by 100. The integrated areas is therefore reported as a percentage of that maximum (min: 0%, max: 100%). The larger the integrated area the more the muscle was deemed to be active.

  8 weeks after intervention

• Residual Limb Hip Muscle Integrated Area at 42-weeks

  Electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from transfemoral prosthesis users' residual limb muscles while walking. The total amount of hip muscle activity was calculated as the integrated area under the EMG signal during a gait cycle (i.e., heel-strike to heel-strike). Each EMG signal was normalized (i.e., divided by its maximum value across all the gait cycles and multiple by 100. The integrated areas is therefore reported as a percentage of that maximum (min: 0%, max: 100%). The larger the integrated area the more the muscle was deemed to be active.

  42 weeks after intervention

• Peak Residual Limb Hip Muscle Activity at Baseline

  Electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from transfemoral prosthesis users' residual limb muscles while walking. The highest level of hip muscle activity was calculated as the peak of the EMG signal during a gait cycle (i.e., heel-strike to heel-strike). Each EMG signal was normalized (i.e., divided by its maximum value across all the gait cycles recorded during baseline). The peak EMG is therefore typically reported as a value between 0 and 1. However, if the peak value during assessments increases relative to baseline, the value of the peak activity will exceed 1. The larger the peak value the greater the activation of that muscle.

  Baseline

• Peak Residual Limb Hip Muscle Activity at 8 Weeks

  Electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from transfemoral prosthesis users' residual limb muscles while walking. The highest level of hip muscle activity was calculated as the peak of the EMG signal during a gait cycle (i.e., heel-strike to heel-strike). Each EMG signal was normalized (i.e., divided by its maximum value across all the gait cycles recorded during baseline). The peak EMG is therefore typically reported as a value between 0 and 1. However, if the peak value during assessments increases relative to baseline, the value of the peak activity will exceed 1. The larger the peak value the greater the activation of that muscle.

  8 weeks after intervention

• Peak Residual Limb Hip Muscle Activity at 42 Weeks

  Electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from transfemoral prosthesis users' residual limb muscles while walking. The highest level of hip muscle activity was calculated as the peak of the EMG signal during a gait cycle (i.e., heel-strike to heel-strike). Each EMG signal was normalized (i.e., divided by its maximum value across all the gait cycles recorded during baseline). The peak EMG is therefore typically reported as a value between 0 and 1. However, if the peak value during assessments increases relative to baseline, the value of the peak activity will exceed 1. The larger the peak value the greater the activation of that muscle.

  42 weeks after intervention

Secondary Outcomes (21)

• Four Square Step Test at Baseline

  Baseline

• Four Square Step Test at 8 Weeks

  8-weeks after intervention

• Four Square Step Test at 42 Weeks

  42-weeks after intervention

• One Leg Stance Test at Baseline

  Baseline

• One Leg Stance Test at 8 Weeks

  8 weeks after intervention

Study Arms (1)

Baseline ischial containment to subischial socket

EXPERIMENTAL

Device: Northwestern University Flexible Sub-Ischial Suction Socket (NU-FlexSIS)

Interventions

Northwestern University Flexible Sub-Ischial Suction Socket (NU-FlexSIS) DEVICE

The sub-ischial socket includes a firm, compressive, preferably cylindrical, fabric-covered silicone liner, a flexible inner socket, and a shorter rigid outer socket. The socket has proximal trim lines that do not impinge on the pelvis; they terminate distal to the ischial tuberosity and greater trochanter. For the NU-FlexSIS Socket, passive suction suspension is achieved using a one way valve and a liner with an internal seal. Since the prosthetic socket is a custom-made device, it is considered Class I exempt by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Baseline ischial containment to subischial socket

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Illinois at Chicago: lead
• Northwestern University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States

Location

Limitations and Caveats

One participant dropped out prior to his week-42 follow up visit due to a medical condition unrelated to the study. Assessing hip muscle endurance as a decrease in performance over a set of 15 trials is not effective in transfemoral prosthesis users. Rather, a single 30 second trial, and comparing the first 3 and last 3 seconds is recommended.

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Andrew Sawers
• Organization: University of Illinois Chicago

asawers@uic.edu

312-996-1427

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: No
• Restrictive Agreement: No

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Transfemoral amputees who historically have worn an ischial containment prosthetic socket will be assessed at baseline, fit with the intervention (a sub-ischial socket), and then tested at 8 and 42 weeks after intervention. All comparisons will be made back to baseline.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 20, 2019
• First Posted: December 26, 2019
• Study Start: September 24, 2019
• Primary Completion: September 23, 2022
• Study Completion: August 14, 2023
• Last Updated: October 10, 2024
• Results First Posted: October 10, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-09

Locations

US (1)