Neuromechanics of movement in lower limb amputees
PhD ceremony: Ms. C. Curtze, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen
Dissertation: Neuromechanics of movement in lower limb amputees
Promotor(s): prof. K. Postema, prof. E. Otten
Faculty: Medical Sciences
The design of prosthetic devices and rehabilitation programs can be improved. This is Carolin Curtze’s conclusion on the basis of her dissertation project. Curtze studied the complex interaction between brain, body, prosthesis and environment.
By means of a self developed measurement device, Curtze investigated the roll-over properties of prostheses and found that these were crucial for standing stability. Furthermore, shoes appeared to have an impact on this property. Although the roll-over shapes found in prosthetic feet approximated the roll-over shapes of able-bodied people, amputees do not walk symmetric due to limitations of the prosthesis. Adjustment strategies of amputees during walking can only be made by the sound limb, for which the patient’s balance control is crucial. Curtze developed a number of tests to determine the balance control. Amputees appeared to use efficient strategies to compensate for the shortcomings of the prosthesis. Moreover, the passive properties of the prosthesis contributed to balance control.
Curtze studied environmental influences by challenging the participants through an evoked forward fall and walking over an irregular surface. Amputees were equally efficient in recovering from an impending fall as able-bodied people, irrespective of whether they led with their prosthetic or sound limb. When walking on irregular surface, amputees increased the amount of lateral arm swing to increase stability. No adjustments in the stepping behavior were found.
In general, walking is a highly automated process. The research showed that amputees need to adjust their movement to the limitations of current prosthetics. For future developments, the technical properties of prostheses should be adapted to the motor abilities of the amputee, instead of the other way around; innovations need to be patient driven instead of technology driven. The research results furthermore advocate training programs to be maximally challenging, thereby improving self-confidence.
Last modified: | 13 March 2020 01.01 a.m. |
More news
-
06 June 2025
India-Netherlands Hydrogen Valley Fellowship Programme announced
To coincide with World Environment Day, 5 June 2025, the Indian Department of Science and Technology and the University of Groningen yesterday announced a Hydrogen Valley Fellowship Programme Partnership, allowing talented Indian scholars working on...
-
28 May 2025
Gaan avondmensen cognitief sneller achteruit dan ochtendmensen?
Wie ’s avonds opleeft en laat naar bed gaat, heeft een grotere kans op cognitieve achteruitgang dan een ochtendmens, blijkt uit UMCG-onderzoek.
-
27 May 2025
An adventure in the brain
In the exhibition Brainstorm in the University Mueseum, Iris Sommer and two other brain researchers from Groningen explain the gut-brain connection, how it was discovered that the brain does what it does, and how games motivate you to perform...