Helping Amputees Walk: SBUMC Physical Therapy Conducts Training Study
The clinical trial requires participants to attend 15 sessions and pays $300
STONY BROOK, N.Y
., December 9, 2010 – Many people with lower extremity limb loss (amputation) have difficulty walking, even after rehabilitation. To further assist amputees, the Department of Physical Therapy at Stony Brook University Medical Center is conducting a training study that involves amputees walking on a treadmill and charting their progress.
“The purpose of the study is to see if a large amount of walking practice on a treadmill can reduce some of the difficulties amputees experience on a daily basis,” says Eric M. Lamberg, PT, EdD, Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and Lead Investigator. “We have designed a detailed physical therapy treadmill program that we believe will help amputees walk more comfortably.”
The program requires volunteer participants to attend 15 sessions over 10 to 12 weeks with a total time commitment of 13.5 hours. There is an initial testing session that includes an assessment of the participant’s legs, balance, and walking abilities. The entire program includes 12 treadmill training visits that take place three times per week for four weeks, a post-training testing session one week after completion of the training, and a follow-up testing session four weeks after completion of the training.
To be eligible for the study, individuals must have a leg amputation that is either below the knee, through the knee, or above the knee. Individuals must also be age 21 to 70, weigh less than 360 pounds and be shorter than six foot, three inches.
Upon completion of the study, participants will receive $300. For more information about the study and eligibility, call 631-444-1200.
