Feasibility of a new concept for measuring actual functional performance in daily life of transfemoral amputees.

OBJECTIVE

Determining the feasibility of implementing a new concept to objectively evaluate actual functional abilities of transfemoral amputees into a new measuring tool called "Assessment of Daily Activity Performance in Transfemoral amputees" (ADAPT).

DESIGN

Study 1: cross-sectional design. Study 2: repeated measures design.

SUBJECTS

Study 1 comprised two groups of 10 participants, age range 19-72 years. One group used microprocessor-controlled knee joints and the other group used mechanically controlled knee joints. Study 2 comprised 20 participants, age range 31-68 years.

METHODS

Two versions of ADAPT were assessed in the separate studies. In study 1 performance times on version 1 of ADAPT were compared between groups. In study 2 participants completed version 2 of ADAPT twice with a 1 h rest between trials. The Locomotor Capabilities Index was administered. Reliability was determined by calculating correlation coefficients and by Bland-Altman analyses.

RESULTS

In study 1, ADAPT version 1 proved to be sensitive in detecting differences in performance between groups. In study 2, 75% of all correlation coefficients exceeded 0.90 in version 2 of ADAPT. Bland-Altman analyses showed high test-retest agreement.

CONCLUSION

It is feasible to reliably assess actual functional abilities of transfemoral amputees using standardized simulations of daily activities. This ADAPT concept is able to differentiate between different functional performance levels.