Asymmetry in Stance Time during Gait in Lower Limb Amputees Using Prosthesis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  The gait has an approximately symmetric pattern which comprises two general phases, stance and swing. Using lower limb prosthesis alters this symmetry. In order to achieve quantitative results, and integrate the results of various researches, this systematic review and meta-analysis of stance time of the gait cycle was carried out. These quantitative results can be a proper tool for the optimal design of prostheses, and reliable prescribing for prosthesis according to physical features of amputees. Searching related keywords in valid databases of ScinceDirect, PubMed and IEEE, the researcher found 98 studies out of 1350 investigations carried out between 2007 and 2018, all of which were in line with the systematic review procedures. Finally, due to the qualitative evaluation of selected papers, 15 experimental studies meeting the required criteria were included in the present meta-analysis for further processes of calculation and interpretation of the reasonable effect size. The stance time with the residual limb is 4.07 percent shorter than the intact limb. Moreover, the control group had less stance phase of 1.65 percent in comparison with the prosthesis limb. Finally, it was found that the intact limb had approximately 1.84 percent longer stance time than the control group. According to qualitative results of the present meta-analysis, asymmetry of stance time for amputees in contrast to the control group would be beneficial for evaluating the prosthesis design, improving neuromuscular studies in rehabilitation field, and compensating the walking asymmetry caused by movement problems in prolonged use of prosthesis.