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Does a more dynamic method of partial weight bearing instruction translate to improved protocols?

Yes / Partial weight bearing protocols are commonly incorporated into rehabilitation
to enhance recovery. Patients are often prescribed protocols that refer to a percentage of their
body weight, such as 20% weight bearing, that should be placed through the healing limb
during activities such as walking (gait). In order to achieve these partial weight baring protocols
patients are usually provided with walking aids such as crutches. Accurate reproducibility of
and compliance with these protocols could be considered essential to the rehabilitation process,
however poor reproducibility of partial weight bearing protocols during crutch assisted gait using
a current method of instruction has been shown. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine
whether a more dynamic method of partial weight bearing protocol instruction, was more
accurately reproduced. Methods: In total, 16 participants were randomly allocated to one of two
groups and were taught 20% partial weight bearing using two different methods of instruction.
A participant’s ability to reproduce their target load using crutch assisted gait was assessed using
a force plate. Findings: The mean error for the static method of instruction was significantly
greater than the more dynamic method. Conclusion: As seen previously, the static method of
instruction of partial weight bearing protocols, using bathroom scales, does not seem to translate
accurately to dynamic motion; however, the more dynamic method assessed in this study appears
to result in more accurate reproducibility.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:BRADFORD/oai:bradscholars.brad.ac.uk:10454/16645
Date14 November 2018
CreatorsGraham, Claire, Jeffrey, Sarah, Hellawell, Michael
Source SetsBradford Scholars
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeArticle, Accepted manuscript
Rights© 2018 MA Healthcare Ltd. This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in British Journal of Healthcare Management, copyright © MA Healthcare, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see [journal link].

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