Contribution of each leg in the static postural stability of unilateral transtibial amputees, a study with Information Theory

Abstract

Introduction: Transtibial amputees tend to isolate themselves because they lack confidence in performing daily tasks; rehabilitation processes such as the use of prostheses are carried out for their social reintegration, where postural stability must be ensured, and activities allowed in diverse contexts. Objective: Verify the contribution of each leg and direction (anterior/posterior and medial/lateral) of the center of pressure (CoP) in the static postural stability of unilateral transtibial amputees due to landmines using information theory. Methodology: A quantitative experimental design was applied to examine the displacement and velocity of the CoP using infometric measurements in nine transtibial amputees, and the non-parametric U Mann-Whitney test was applied to recognize statistically notable differences (p <0.05) between each leg. Results: There are statistically notable differences between the legs in the variables of displacement and velocity. Each leg contributes differently to the control of the static bipedal posture, and their behavior in the directions of movement of the CoP differs from each other, but they work together to generate compensation strategies that allow maintaining stability. Conclusions: The use of information theory made it possible to evaluate stability objectively, without specifying the kind of relationship between this and the input variables, which favored the recognition of the CoP shift as its best discriminant in comparison with velocity. Transtibial amputees control static bipedal posture with the non-amputated leg to compensate for the loss of lower leg afferents and efferents due to the amputation. The results demonstrate the suitability of using information theory in the evaluation of lateralized postural control in pathological conditions.