Virtual prototyping of a semi-active transfemoral prosthetic leg

This article presents a virtual prototyping study of a semi-active lower limb prosthesis to improve the functionality of an amputee during prosthesis–environment interaction for level ground walking. Articulated ankle–foot prosthesis and a single-axis semi-active prosthetic knee with active and passive operating modes were considered. Data for level ground walking were collected using a photogrammetric method in order to develop a base-line simulation model and with the hip kinematics input to verify the proposed design. The simulated results show that the semi-active lower limb prosthesis is able to move efficiently in passive mode, and the activation time of the knee actuator can be reduced by approximately 50%. Therefore, this semi-active system has the potential to reduce the energy consumption of the actuators required during level ground walking and requires less compensation from the amputee due to lower deviation of the vertical excursion of body centre of mass

Short-term outcomes of a back school program for chronic low back pain

Objective: To assess the short-term outcome of a back school program for patients suffering from chronic, nonspecific low back pain (LBP). Design: Quasi-experimental cohort study with a waiting list control group. Setting: Dutch rehabilitation department. Participants: Experimental group (n = 14) participating, in the back school program and a waiting list control group (n = 10). Intervention: A back school program aimed to achieve optimal functional capacity and functional health status by teaching participants to react appropriately to overload signals. Main Outcome Measures: Functional capacity assessed by the RAND-36 instrument; functional health status assessed by the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire; and static and dynamic lifting capacity, endurance, and range of motion assessed by objective measures. Results: The experimental group significantly improved in functional capacity and functional health status, with a large power, likely attributable to adequate reactions to signals of overload. Significant differences existed between the 2 groups, with large powers for the main outcomes. Conclusion: The back school program improved the functional capacity and functional health status of patients with chronic, nonspecific LBP