The Effects of the Chaining Method in Walking with a Simulated Prosthetic Femur on Motion Studies

Abstract

[Purpose] This research considered a practice program consisting of the use of the Chaining Method in walking with a simulated prosthetic femur; then studied the influence this practice exerts on skills in walking with a prosthetic leg. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 20 able-bodied people who had no experience of walking with a simulated artificial leg, who were divided randomly into two groups. The intervention group practiced using the Chaining Method, while the control group practiced after having been given the entire instructions all at once, each group for ten minutes. Their tasks were to walk wearing a simulated prosthetic femur. [Results] Significant differences were found between the two groups in the amount of time taken to walk before and after practice, the number of times the knee was bent, and the number of times the non-prosthetic leg strayed from the path. Also, comparing the two groups just after practice, the intervention group showed the benefit of intervention in the same evaluation items, compared to the control group. [Conclusions] The Chaining Method entails simplifying the targeted movements by segmenting them.