A pilot study comparing the emPOWER Ankle System to standard carbon fiber prosthetic feet, in active seniors.
The primary objective of this study is to characterize the increase in the distance subjects can walk during a six (6) minute period while wearing the emPOWER Ankle compared to a passive lower-extremity prosthesis.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
8
The device is 510k cleared and is intended to replace a missing foot and ankle. The emPOWER Ankle is to be used exclusively for fittings of lower-extremity amputations as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Devices will vary. Data gathered will form a baseline.
UTHealth, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Houston, Texas, United States
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
The proportion of patients with a clinically meaningful change (improvement, no change, worsening) in the walking distance measured by the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT). 6minWT improvement was defined as a minimum increase of 45 meters.
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in the Twelve Minute Walk Test (12MWT)
The proportion of patients with a clinically meaningful change (improvement, no change, worsening) in the walking distance measured by the Twelve Minute Walk Test (12MWT). 12minWT improvement was defined as a minimum increase of 90 meters.
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
The proportion of patients with a clinically meaningful change (improvement, no change, worsening) in the walking distance measured by the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT). 10MWT improvement was defined as a minimum increase of 0.1 m/s.
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in the L-Test
The proportion of patients with a clinically meaningful change (improvement, no change, worsening) in the walking time measured in the L-Test. L-Test improvement was defined as a minimum decrease of 4.5 seconds.
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in the Ramp Test
The proportion of patients with a clinically meaningful change (improvement, no change, worsening) in the walking time measured in theRamp Test. Ramp Test improvement was defined as a minimum decrease of 6 seconds to complete the test.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale Score
The proportion of patients with a clinically meaningful change (improvement, no change, worsening) in abulatory activities measured by the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale. Improvement in the ABC was defined as a minimum detectable change of 13% increase in score. The ABC Scale is a self-administered questionnaire that asks the patient to rate his or her confidence in performing various ambulatory activities on a scale from 0% (no confidence) to 100% (complete confidence) without losing balance or becoming unsteady. Scores for each of the 16 items will be collected and an average percentage calculated, with scores \<67 indicating an increased risk of falling.
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in the Falls Efficacy Scale Score
The Falls Efficacy Scale is a validated 10-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess confidence in the ability to perform 10 activities of daily living without falling as an indicator of how one's fear of falling impacts physical performance. Each item is rated from 1 ("very confident") to 10 ("not confident at all"), and the per item ratings are added to generate a summary total score (10 to 100). Lower scores indicate more confidence and higher scores indicate lack of confidence and greater fear of falling. It has been validated for use in the elderly and persons with amputations. Scores ≥70 indicate an increased fear of falling. Improvement in the Falls Efficiacy Scale was defined as a minimum increase of 2 in the score.
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in the Amputee Mobility Predictor (AMP) Assessment
The AMP is an instrument designed to measure ambulatory potential of lower-limb amputees. Subjects begin the test seated in a hard chair with arms and are tested for a total of 21 items assessing abilities of increasing level of difficulty. Abilities assessed include sitting balance, transfer from chair to chair, standing balance, gait quality, negotiating obstacles, and the use of assistive devices. The total score range for the AMP is 0 to 47 points. A minimal detectable change of 4 points was the definition of improvement.
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility PLUS-M (12 Item Short Form)
The PLUS-M is a valid and reliable self-reported measure for the mobility of adults with lower limb amputations. PLUS-M asks about the patient's ability to perform simple and complex tasks. High PLUS-M scores correspond with greater mobility. Improvement in the Mobility PLUS-M (12 item Short Form) was defined by a minimum detectable change of an increase of 5 points in the total score.
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in the Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS)
The PSFS is a self-report, goal-attainment measure aimed at identifying functional status limitations that are most relevant to individual patients. The PSFS is a reliable, valid, and efficient measure for detecting clinical change in persons with low back pain and knee dysfunction. Subjects were asked to identify three to five activities that they are having difficulty or are unable to perform because of their injury/condition. For the specified activities, patients were asked to rate their ability to perform each activity at that time (0-10 numerical scale) with '0' being unable to perform the activity, and '10' being able to perform the activity at the same level as they could prior to the injury/condition. The total score was calculated as the sum of the activity scores divided by the number of activities. Changes of \>2 in the total score compared to baseline were considered "Improved."
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
The NPRS is a valid and reliable measure of pain that may be used across all musculoskeletal injuries/conditions and complements the PSFS. The patient was asked to rate the pain of their joints, foot, lower back, and if they are using an assistive device any additional affected limbs on average over the last 24 hours on a scale 1-10, with '1' being 'very mild' and '10' being the 'unimaginable unspeakable'. The scores on the NPRS instruments with the emPOWER Ankle were compared to the scores on the subject's passive prosthesis. An improvement was considered a positive change of 1 for at least one area without a corresponding decrease in another.
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in Activity (Monitoring Using a Fitbit Over 2-week Periods)
A Fitbit activity monitor was worn to record the number of steps the Subject took with the prosthesis. The patient returned to the site with the activity monitor and the steps counted were downloaded from the device. In addition, the Subjects were sent home with a prepaid envelope and instructed to mail back the activity monitor if the next visit was more than 3 weeks later, to ensure that the data was not lost. The step counts were downloaded from the device the day the activity monitor was returned to the Investigator. The Investigator recorded the date the patient was affixed with the activity monitor, the date they received the returned activity monitor, and the date they synced the monitor. An improvement was defined as an increase in the average daily step count of 750 steps.
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in PROMIS Physical Function
PROMIS item banks and their short forms are a reliable and precise measurements of patient reported outcome measures. The scores on the PROMIS instruments with the emPOWER Ankle 3 months after fitting will be compared to the scores on the subject's passive prosthesis. PROMIS Physical Function improvement was defined as a minimally clinically important difference (MCID) of an increase of 6.8 in a total score.
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in PROMIS Global Health Short Form
PROMIS item banks and their short forms are a reliable and precise measurements of patient reported outcome measures. The scores on the PROMIS instruments with the emPOWER Ankle 3 months after fitting will be compared to the scores on the subject's passive prosthesis. PROMIS Global Health Short Form improvement was defined as an increase in a total score of 3.5.
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in PROMIS Fatigue Short Form (7a)
PROMIS item banks and their short forms are a reliable and precise measurements of patient reported outcome measures. The scores on the PROMIS instruments with the emPOWER Ankle 3 months after fitting will be compared to the scores on the subject's passive prosthesis. PROMIS Fatigue Short Form (7a) improvement was defined as a minimally clinically important difference (MCID) of an increase of 5 in a total score.
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle
Number of Participants With Improvement, No Change, or Worsening in Performance in PROMIS Pain Intensity Short Form (3a)
PROMIS item banks and their short forms are a reliable and precise measurements of patient reported outcome measures. The scores on the PROMIS instruments with the emPOWER Ankle 3 months after fitting will be compared to the scores on the subject's passive prosthesis. PROMIS Pain Intensity Short Form (3a) improvement was defined as a minimally clinically important difference (MCID) of an increase of 6.9 in a total score.
Time frame: 3 months with the emPOWER ankle