Document Type

Grant

Project Title

Relationship of Gait Asymmetry and Lower Back Pain in Unilateral Prosthetic Patients

Principal Investigator

Austin Parks

Publication Date

2026

College or Department

School of Health and Human Performance

Funder

Academic Affairs

Award Date Range

2025

Award Amount

3007.00

Abstract

Prosthetic devices are designed to mimic function of healthy limbs; however, investigations have demonstrated significant gait asymmetries in unilateral prosthetic patients. It is unclear to what extent these asymmetries could lead to other conditions such as chronic low back pain (CLBP). The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of gait asymmetries and CLBP in unilateral prosthetic patients. 10 subjects with a lower body prosthetic and 10 healthy controls will be recruited for this study. The subjects’ gait kinetics and kinematics will be analyzed over 4 walking trials. The patients will be asked to complete a questionnaire to determine the prevalence of CLBP. The phases and events of the gait cycle will be analyzed and compared for peak force and rate of force development between the affected and unaffected limb. The findings of this study will provide insights into the specifics and magnitude of gait asymmetries and its relation to CLBP in unilateral prosthetic patients.

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