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Overview

Amputee research in CHARR:

  • Physical activity
  • Low back pain
  • Balance

Current research

New Zealand Artificial Limb Service (NZALS) grant: Physical activity and quality of life in persons with dysvascular and traumatic below-knee amputation.

Primary Investigator: Dr Prasath Jayakaran

The project will provide rich baseline data of physical activity, recreational physical activity and general quality of life in persons living with a lower limb amputation in New Zealand.

The study will provide constructive insights on the differences in physical activity and quality of life, and the facilitators and challenges, between persons with traumatic and dysvascular amputation in New Zealand.

Results will inform New Zealand health care practitioners how general health and participation in physical activity by people with amputation can be facilitated and supported.

The findings will also inform future intervention studies on physical activity contributing to the general well-being of persons with a lower limb amputation.

Publications

  • Jayakaran, P., & Vanicek, N. (2018). Stepping forward following lower limb amputation. Physical Therapy Reviews. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/10833196.2018.1466439 [Editorial].
  • Jayakaran, P., Johnson, G. M., & Sullivan, S. J. (2015). Postural control in response to altered sensory conditions in persons with dysvascular and traumatic transtibial amputation. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 96(2), 331-339. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.09.037
  • Jayakaran, P., Johnson, G. M., & Sullivan, S. J. (2014). Turning performance in persons with a dysvascular transtibial amputation. Prosthetics & Orthotics International, 38(1). doi: 10.1177/0309364613485114
  • Jayakaran, P., DeSouza, L., Cossar, J., & Gilhooly, K. (2014). Influence of walking aid on temporal and spatial parameters of gait in healthy adults. PM&R, 6(9), 796-801. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2014.02.005
  • Devan, H., Hendrick, P., Ribeiro, D.C., Hale, L.A. and Carman, A. (2014) Asymmetrical movements of the lumbopelvic region: is this a potential mechanism for low back pain in people with lower limb amputation? Medical Hypotheses, 82
  • Devan H, Carman A, Hendrick P, Ribeiro DC, Hale L. (2014) Perceptions of low back pain in people with lower limb amputation: a focus group study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 2014. (0):1-11 (In press).
  • Devan H, Tumilty S, Smith C. (2012) Physical activity and lower-back pain in persons with traumatic transfemoral amputation: A national cross-sectional survey. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 2012.49:1457-1466.
  • Devan H, Kanagasabai P. (2012) Effects of motor imagery in phantom pain management following amputation: A review of literature. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy-An International Journal. 2012.6:49-53.
  • Jayakaran, P., Johnson, G. M., & Sullivan, S. J. (2013). Concurrent validity of the Sensory Organization Test measures in unilateral transtibial amputees. Prosthetics & Orthotics International, 37(1), 65-69. doi: 10.1177/0309364612448391
  • Jayakaran, P., Johnson, G. M., Sullivan, S. J., & Nitz, J. C. (2012). Instrumented measurement of balance and postural control in individuals with lower limb amputation: A critical review. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 35(3), 187-196. doi: 10.1097/MRR.0b013e3283550ff9
  • Jayakaran, P., Johnson, G. M., & Sullivan, S. J. (2011). Test-retest reliability of the Sensory Organization Test in older persons with a transtibial amputation. PM&R, 3(8), 723-729. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2011.01.005

Funding

  • Difference between dominant and non-dominant hemispheres of brain in the excitability of lower limb muscles in healthy adults. Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust (2014)
  • Physical activity and quality of life in persons with dysvascular and traumatic below-knee amputation. New Zealand Artificial Limb Services grant (2014)
  • Spinal muscle activity patterns during functional tasks in persons with lower limb amputation: An exploratory study, New Zealand Artificial Limb Services grant (2013)
  • Asymmetrical movements of lumbopelvic region: Is this a potential mechanism for low back pain in adults with lower limb amputation? New Zealand Artificial Limb Services grant (2012)
  • New Zealand Artificial Limb Services grant, Physical activity and lower-back pain in persons with traumatic transfemoral amputation: A national cross-sectional survey (2011)
  • Quantification of balance and postural demands during functional activities in amputees. New Zealand Limb Fitting Association. (2009)

Activities

Special issue: Physical Therapy Reviews 2018

Jayakaran, P., & Vanicek, N. (2018). Stepping forward following lower limb amputation. Physical Therapy Reviews. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/10833196.2018.1466439 [Editorial].

WCPT 2015 - Focused symposia on Amputee rehabilitation

Associate Professor Gill Johnson, led a focused symposia on Amputee rehabilitation: integrating evidence into lower limb prosethic rehabilitation in today's world.

Amputee symposia

For further information

Please email prasath.jayakaran@otago.ac.nz

PhD projects

We are currently looking for high quality PhD candidates for the following project:

Physical activity and quality of life in individuals with amputation

Physical activity is important for general well-being and better quality of life. However, individuals with lower limb amputation have lesser engagement in physical activity than adults with intact lower limbs. Recently our survey of individuals with amputation in New Zealand identified that 81% of the individuals have reasonable level of mobility; yet only 30% are physically active.

While physical ability may play a role in their engagement in physical activity, the psycho-social aspects such as fear, isolation and environmental barrier affects their confidence to be physically active. Therefore it is essential to study the ways of supporting physical activity with this community.

The proposed research will explore the possibility of using a structured walking programme to improve physical activity participation in this population. Increasing the engagement of those with amputation in physical activity will enhance their health-related quality of life and decrease their risk of developing non-communicable long term conditions.

For further information contact: Dr Prasath Jayakaran and guidelines for applicant criteria can be found here

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