Do you use a transfemoral prosthesis? Have you ever wanted to visit a research lab and try out a new prosthesis that provides power to help with activities like going up stairs or ramps? Researchers at the Center for Bionic Medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab are conducting a research study titled, Understanding how Powered Componentry Impacts Transfemoral Amputee Gait and invite you to participate!
What is the study all about? We are studying the effects of using a new powered knee and ankle for activities like stairs, ramps, walking, and standing up. We want to determine if it’s most helpful to have power at the knee, power at the ankle, or power at both joints. We’re comparing this to using a commercially available microprocessor knee and foot.
Why is this study important? This study will help us understand how to better design powered prostheses so they provide the most benefit to YOU!
Eligibility Criteria
Participants must:
- Be age 18-95
- Have an amputation or limb difference of one leg above the knee
- Have been walking with a definitive prosthesis for at least 6 months
- Be medically cleared by your physician to participate
- Weigh less than 250 pounds
What is required to participate? You must reside in the Chicagoland area since this study will require many visits to our lab over many months. During the visits you may: receive extensive gait training on how to use the study devices; walk on level ground, stairs, and ramps; perform functional outcomes tests.
Is there compensation? Yes, you will receive compensation for each visit ($40 per visit), plus reimbursement for travel and parking.
What happens next? For more information, please contact study personnel at the Center for Bionic Medicine at cbm@sralab.org or 312-238-2080.
Help spread the word! Do you know someone who uses a transfemoral prosthesis? Please ask them to participate too!
IRB Project #: STU00217960
Principal Investigator: Levi Hargrove, PhD
The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an academic affiliate of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine