Study Comparing Different Ways to Cause Stumbles and Slips During Walking Including Able-Bodied People and Prosthetic Users

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating three different methods to create unexpected disturbances during walking, aiming to better understand balance and fall prevention. The study includes two groups people who use prosthetic limbs and able-bodied individuals. The goal is to assess how these methods can simulate stumbles or slips to study adaptive walking responses. Participants will undergo tests where controlled disturbances are introduced using up to four different techniques, such as obstacles placed on or near a treadmill and a device that induces slipping. The number of methods used per session depends on time and participant fatigue. Both groups will experience these tests to compare responses. During each testing session lasting about 30 to 60 minutes, researchers will observe how often stumbles or falls occur with each method. Participants will provide feedback on how effective, safe, unpredictable, and consistent these perturbation methods feel. The study will monitor these outcomes within the same session to understand gait adaptability and safety perceptions.

Evaluating Methods to Replicate Stumbles and Slips During Walking