关键词：康复计划；截肢；艺术假肢设备
摘 要：The U.S. military is currently fitting amputees with state-of-the- art prosthetic devices. In addition to walking and changing direction on a variety of surfaces, amputees must be able to manage uneven terrain, crowded environments, stairs, ramps, and hills. The largest problem for a lower extremity amputee is falls. Among individuals with a lower extremity amputation, 52reported having fallen in the previous 12 months, 49reported being fearful of falling, and 65had low balance confidence scores. Falling history and balance confidence are associated with reduced mobility capability and social activity. As a result, lower extremity amputees with limited balance and stability are at risk for diminished quality of life. The goal of this research effort is to rehabilitate lower extremity amputees to reduce falls using a novel training method. In this first year of the research effort, we have developed a novel experimental method to induce unexpected trips to amputees under controlled laboratory conditions. We have identified objective biomechanical variables that are causally related to the success or failure in avoiding a fall after a trip, objective tests to quantify functional outcomes, and a subject-specific questionnaire to determine if the training method is effective. Enrollment has begun. Our target is to deliver a quantitatively derived, deployment-ready, advanced gait rehabilitation system that can improve functional outcomes and/or shorten the time required for injured servicemen and women to return to active duty or to a productive civilian life.