Improving motor skills in people with leg amputation

Enhancing Motor Function in Individuals with Lower Limb Amputation Through Peer-Based Balance and Fall Recovery Skill Training

NA · University of Nevada, Las Vegas · NCT06638723

This study tests if watching videos of other amputees can help people with leg amputations learn better motor skills, like balance and fall recovery, compared to watching videos of non-amputees.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas (other)
Locations1 site (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Trial IDNCT06638723 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research investigates the effectiveness of peer-based prosthetic skill training for individuals with lower limb amputation. The study aims to determine if observing demonstrations from amputee peers enhances motor learning compared to non-amputee models. Participants will learn balance and fall recovery tasks through video demonstrations, and their performance will be assessed over a two-week training period. Additionally, the study will analyze differences in visual focus, behavior, and brain activation patterns between the two observation conditions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 with unilateral lower limb amputation who are proficient in using a walking prosthesis.

Not a fit: Patients with concurrent central nervous system diseases or critical health conditions that limit physical activity may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more effective rehabilitation protocols for individuals with lower limb amputation.

How similar studies have performed: While peer-based training approaches have shown promise in other contexts, this specific application in lower limb amputation rehabilitation is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 1\) have unilateral lower limb amputation,
* 2\) age \>18 years,
* 3\) are properly fitted with a walking prosthesis and use it regularly with at least moderate proficiency (K-2 level or above, further defined as scoring greater than 50 percentile on the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility),
* 4\) able to stand for at least 5 minutes without using an assistive device or experiencing excessive fatigue,
* 5\) willing to travel to UNLV 6 times for training and testing.

Exclusion Criteria:

* 1\) have other concurrent central nervous system diseases that influence motor function and balance,
* 2\) have leg/foot ulcer or other conditions that cause pain during weight-bearing,
* 3\) have cardiovascular, respiratory or other critical health conditions that preclude moderate physical activity.

Where this trial is running

Las Vegas, Nevada

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Amputation, limb loss, peer support, motor learning, EEG, falls, balance, prosthetics

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.