The Effect of Difference in the Practice Methods on the Gait Skill Using Trial Above-Knee Prosthesis

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of practice programs using shaping, chaining and prompting and fading methods devised for above-knee prosthesis trail walking with iterative practice by the subject. After practice a significantly shortening in the 10 m walking time, and decrease in knee break frequency, abduction gait frequency and lateral bending of the trunk was recognized between the control and intervention groups. The improvement was significant for all items in the intervention group, but a significant improvement was recognized only in the vaulting gait frequency in the intervention group. Therefore, the devised practice method seemed to improve more rapidly the skill of above-knee prosthesis trail walking in comparison with oral description and iterative practice by the subject.