Investigating the Effects of Exergame Training on Functional Activities Among Newly-Fitted Patients with Unilateral Transtibial Amputation: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Introduction: This preliminary study investigates the effects of adding exergame (EG) training to conventional exercises on the functional activities of newly fitted patients with unilateral transtibial amputation. Materials and Methods: A total of 22 newly fitted patients with unilateral transtibial amputation were equally and randomly divided into two groups as follows: the EG group who performed exercises and EG training and the control group who performed exercise only. The 2-min walk test, timed up and go test, amputee mobility predictor with prosthesis test, and physiological cost index were assessed at baseline and after 2 and 4 weeks of the intervention. Results: Both interventions effectively improved the 2-min walk test distance, timed up-and-go test, and the amputee mobility predictor with prosthesis test scores in patients with newly fitted transtibial amputation (P<0.001). Additionally, a significant improvement was observed in the timed up-and-go test time in the EG group versus the control group after the 4-week intervention (P=0.04, effect size=0.53). Conclusion: The findings of this preliminary study further support that adding EG to exercises significantly increases movement speed among amputee patients.

Keywords

• Amputation
• Rehabilitation
• Virtual reality exercise
• Exergames (EG)
• Active-video games