Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

In 2003 it was estimated that more than 2 million individuals were living with lower limb amputation (LLA) in North America. This number is projected to more than double by the year 2050. In Western countries the incidence increases sharply after the age of 50 as a result of secondary complications associated with diabetes and vascular disease that are common in older adults. Recovery following LLA is notably slow in older adults and requires participation in prosthetic ambulation programs in order to return to walking, ambulation and functional independence. Due to the escalating costs, existing rehabilitation programs are experiencing difficulty providing sufficient levels of prosthetic therapy. Furthermore, transition towards outpatient rehabilitation, coupled with community inaccessibility and transportation barriers, impose challenges for older adult clients to attend face-to-face clinic appointments. Therefore, accessible and innovative approaches are needed to improve outcomes. In-home treatments using commercial off-the-shelf gaming technologies could be an excellent rehabilitation program for older adults with lower limb amputation. Our team has designed and evaluated Wii.n.Walk, which is an in-home intervention program using a low-cost off-the-shelf gaming technology for improving walking in older adults with lower limb amputation.