| Author: | He, Yufan |
| Title: | Gait classification and center of pressure dynamic trajectory in individuals with unilateral transfemoral amputation |
| Advisors: | Kobayashi, Toshiki (BME) |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2024 |
| Subject: | Leg -- Amputation Amputees -- Rehabilitation Gait in humans -- Analysis Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Department of Biomedical Engineering |
| Pages: | xiv, 83 pages : color illustrations |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Lower limb amputees, particularly those with unilateral transfemoral amputations (uTFA), often exhibit gait asymmetry. Various factors contribute to this asymmetry, encompassing muscle strength, personal habits, prosthesis utilization, psychological factors, and more. This study aimed to explore gait classification among uTFA individuals in the first part and analyze dynamic changes in the center of pressure (COP) during walking in the second part. The study comprised 24 participants, including 12 uTFA individuals and 12 age-matched non-disabled controls. Spatiotemporal gait data and vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) data were gathered through an instrumented treadmill. The first part of the research involved assessing the significance of features that differentiate uTFA individuals from non-disabled individuals using random forests. Subsequently, k-means clustering was applied within the uTFA group. The analysis identified three clusters as the optimal grouping, determined through silhouette score and elbow method. Each cluster displayed distinctive gait patterns: C1 exhibited low symmetry within minimal single limb support duration time (p = 0.04, C1: 22.68 ±1.68%, C2: 28.74 ± 1.33%, C3: 26.02 ± 3.54%), C2 demonstrated the highest symmetry with the longest stride length (p = 0.01, C1: 66.85 ± 10.29 cm, C2: 87.58 ± 7.95 cm, C3: 59.45 ± 9.18 cm), and C3 featured the highest cadence (p = 0.03, C1: 76.41 ± 6.09 steps/min, C2: 79.83 ± 13.70 steps/min, C3: 98.87 ± 3.04 steps/min), the shortest stride length, and moderate symmetry. In the second part, gait and COP parameters of the control (right) limb (CL) of the non-disabled individuals, the prosthetic limb (PL), and the intact limb (IL) of the uTFA individuals were compared. The analysis revealed a notable medial displacement in the COP trajectory during the loading response (p = 0.04, CL: 13.22 ± 8.95 mm, IL: 20.50 ± 8.82 mm, PL: 10.61 ± 8.90 mm), followed by an increase in lateral displacement during the subsequent single limb support phase. Furthermore, differences in forward COP speed were observed, particularly significant during the loading response (p = 0.04, CL: 117.43 ± 34.49%, IL: 184.16 ± 67.10%, PL: 133.05 ± 46.65%) and single limb support phases (p < 0.01, CL: 15.32 ± 6.46%, IL: -4.12 ± 9.40%, PL: 22.89 ± 8.37%). In summary, these findings indicate that uTFA individuals have adapted their gait to enhance weight transfer, balance control, and overall gait stability. This study offers valuable insights into comprehending the gait classification and dynamics of uTFA individuals. Furthermore, it underscores the significance of enhancing prosthetic design, alignment techniques, and rehabilitation programs to improve gait patterns and mitigate injury risks stemming from compensatory movements. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7414.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 2.31 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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